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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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What to pack for Thailand without looking like a tourist?
Can you travel light, stay stylish, and still blend in with the locals? In Thailand, where the climate is tropical, the culture is modest, and fashion is effortlessly chic, what you pack says a lot about how you show up—not just in photos, but in respect and awareness. You don’t need a suitcase of outfits to make the right impression.…
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Flight club: Thailand plots new routes to Vietnam to boost tourism
Thailand is gearing up to launch new direct flights linking its northeastern provinces to Vietnam to supercharge tourism and deepen regional ties. The plan, revealed during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam, aims to make travel easier between the neighbouring countries while tapping into their growing tourism markets. Speaking during her two-day visit, which concludes today, May 16, the…
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Top Shanghai official tours Pattaya in tourism charm offensive
Pattaya rolled out the red carpet this week as a high-profile Chinese delegation arrived to explore what the city has to offer—and to send a strong message: Thailand is open, safe, and ready to welcome Chinese tourists back in droves. Yesterday afternoon, May 15, at the Garden Cliff Hotel, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and his secretary, Phumpipat Kamolnath, greeted Zhang…
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Thailand’s tourist trade rocked by tariff-ic blow
Thailand’s tourist trade is feeling the heat, not from the sun, but from a chilly global economy and punishing US tariffs that are sending shockwaves all the way to Bangkok’s hotel lobbies. Thailand’s hotel sector is bracing for a rough ride as fewer foreign visitors and shrinking wallets threaten to slash spending, spark price wars and pile pressure on operators,…
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China slump no drag-on for Phuket, says property tycoon
Fears that China’s economic slowdown could batter Thailand’s tourist trade have been brushed aside by a luxury property boss, who insists Phuket is still booming thanks to big spenders from elsewhere. Phuket’s posh property scene is still sizzling despite fewer Chinese tourists hitting the island and one property mogul reckons it’s all just a blip. Allan Zeman, chairman of the…
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Ko Samui waterfall horror lands British soldier in deep debt
A dream trip to Thailand turned into a living hell for a British soldier after he plunged from a waterfall, shattering his body and racking up a jaw-dropping £100,000 (4.4 million baht) medical bill, with no way home in sight. The 21 year old squaddie has been left broken and stranded after falling from a popular Thai waterfall while taking…
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Danish man vanishes after no-show at Thailand airport
A Danish man who failed to board a flight home from Thailand in March has vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of confusion, concern and desperate pleas from loved ones as fears grow for his mental health and safety. The baffling disappearance of Jakob Jensen, has sparked an international search effort after the Danish tourist seemingly vanished in…
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Phuket seas claims the life of another Aussie tourist
Phuket police issued a warning to swimmers following a second Aussie tourist death inside a week off a popular holiday resort beach. An Australian father-of-two washed ashore at the weekend two weeks into a dream holiday with his wife. Anthony John Heathcote was reported missing last Wednesday. His body was eventually found on Saturday, May 10, in waters about 20…
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Government forms task force to tackle illegal tour operators nationwide
A nationwide joint task force has been established by the government to address the issue of illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides, according to deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan. The task force comprises officials from five agencies: the Tourism Ministry, the Business Development Department, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourism Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau. Their efforts…
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White Lotus filming fails to boost southern Thailand hotel tourism
Hotels in southern Thailand have yet to see any significant impact from the filming of The White Lotus HBO series in the country. The global economy’s volatility and safety concerns have influenced potential tourists’ decisions. Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy in Phuket, reported that despite the popularity of White Lotus Season 3, which aired on…
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Thailand’s Koh Kut and Koh Mak overwhelmed by tourist surge
Sunseekers are swarming to two of Thailand’s lesser-known island paradises, sending ferry services into overdrive and fully booking out thousands of rooms — and it’s all thanks to a surge in online buzz and back-to-back public holidays. Koh Kut and Koh Mak, tucked away in Trat province’s eastern waters, have rapidly climbed the travel charts, becoming some of the country’s…
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Storms loom, but Pattaya still packs out for long weekend
Storm clouds may be looming over Thailand this weekend, but that’s not stopping waves of tourists from descending on Pattaya’s beaches. Despite unstable weather conditions forecast across large swathes of the country, the seaside city is bracing for a surge in holidaymakers from May 9 to 12, as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the Visakha Bucha Day substitution create a…
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Aussie tourist drowns near Phuket’s Koh Racha Yai
An Australian tourist tragically drowned on May 6, just off the coast of Phuket’s Racha Island, as he reportedly went for a swim while intoxicated. The 22 year old tourist was initially revived with CPR, but was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a nearby hospital. On May 6, at 2.28pm, the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (Pearl Centre) received a…
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Vietnam surpasses Thailand in attracting Chinese, Russian tourists
The decline in Chinese and Russian tourists visiting Thailand, in favour of Vietnam, is impacting the Thai tourism industry. With cheaper accommodation and 24-hour food service, alongside diverse attractions beyond natural sights, Vietnam is drawing twice as many tourists compared to Thailand. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, President of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, highlighted that Thailand’s tourism image has been suffering for…
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‘Hello, Ni Hao’ campaign woos Chinese tourists back to Thailand
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has unveiled the Hello, Ni Hao campaign, a bold new move aimed at rebuilding confidence in Thai tourism among Chinese travellers. The initiative, which kicks off this month, will see more than 300 Chinese media professionals and influencers invited to Thailand to showcase the country’s attractions through social media and press coverage. “This is…
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Chinese tourists vanish, Pattaya cruise sinks into crisis
A luxury Pattaya dinner cruise once packed with Chinese tourists is now struggling to stay afloat, after a dramatic drop in visitors forced mass layoffs and desperate reinvention. Ocean Sky Pattaya, a once-thriving restaurant cruise catering largely to Chinese travellers, has laid off 30% of its staff in a drastic move to slash costs as Chinese arrivals dry up. Buncha…
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Northeast Thailand’s billion-baht cable car gets green light
A long-proposed cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in northeast Thailand is officially shifting into gear after a 25.7 million baht budget was approved for its design. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), confirmed the scheme would see a 3-kilometre route constructed, potentially beginning at the Pha Mak Dook…
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Thailand hotel prices soar, low season sparks price war fears
Room rates experienced a significant rise during the recent tourism High Season, drawing criticism from travellers who perceived Thai hotels as more costly than those in neighbouring countries. As the low season now takes hold, some hoteliers express concerns over potential price wars due to reduced arrivals. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that the…
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Trat Discovery campaign offers island perks and free flight prizes
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Bangkok Airways and local tourism operators, has kicked off the Trat Discovery: Island and Beyond campaign – a bold push to supercharge tourism in Thailand’s eastern region with discounts, rewards, and premium travel experiences. Running from May 1 (yesterday) to August 20, the campaign offers exclusive perks for Bangkok Airways passengers…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Luxury durian afternoon tea launched to boost Thai tourism
Durian lovers, rejoice! Thailand’s King of Fruits is getting a five-star makeover. To boost gastronomy tourism, Thailand is promoting its premium Mon Thong durian with an exclusive Durian Decadent Afternoon Tea campaign, aiming to create unforgettable travel experiences for modern, experience-seeking tourists. Launched during the summer High Season, this campaign highlights innovative culinary experiences featuring Thailand’s prized Mon Thong durian,…
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Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ boom to boost economy by 152 billion baht
Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ community is fast becoming an economic force to be reckoned with, with a new study projecting a 152 billion baht boost to the nation’s GDP this year, fuelled by local spending and a surge in LGBTQIA+ tourism. According to research from Mahidol University’s College of Management (CMMU), more than 5.9 million LGBTQIA+ persons, around 9% of Thailand’s population,…
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Shocking encounter: Man hides in Thai woman’s Japan hotel room
A solo traveller from Thailand shared a chilling experience in Japan when she discovered a man hiding under her hotel bed. Natalisi Taksisi, who had chosen Japan for its reputation for safety, was horrified to find a stranger in her room despite the hotel’s key card system. The incident, which has since gone viral, has raised concerns about hotel security and…
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Up in the air: Thailand to elevate tourism with airport upgrades
The Ministry of Transport in Thailand has allocated funds to upgrade airports in three provinces in northeastern Thailand to boost secondary city tourism. Assistant Transport Minister Manoporn Charoensri announced efforts to transform Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan into year-round tourist destinations. The initiative aligns with the government’s policy under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who emphasises secondary city tourism, with…
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Drunk tourist walks naked through Phuket, sparks outrage
A drunk foreign tourist was filmed walking naked through the streets of Phuket Town, prompting locals to voice concerns about the growing problem of unruly visa-free tourists. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต shared a shocking video of a foreign man stumbling down Rattanakosin 200 Years Road in Talat Nuea subdistrict, Mueang district, completely naked. The man, visibly intoxicated, appeared to…
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Thailand launches e-ticket system in marine parks
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will officially introduce a fully operational e-ticket system on October 15 across six key marine national parks, marking the beginning of the tourist season. This pilot project aims to boost park revenue by 10% and improve transparency in collecting entrance fees. During a press conference yesterday, April 28, Director-General Attapol…
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Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans
Pattaya is seeing a noticeable decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, a shift met with mixed feelings by locals and long-term visitors. Business owners reliant on mass tourism have voiced concern, while many European tourists and residents are quietly welcoming the change. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that daily Chinese arrivals in Pattaya have fallen to around 5,000, compared…
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Smoke on the water: Tour boss caught out in Phi Phi national park
A business operator was fined 10,000 baht for taking foreign tourists to drink beer and smoke cigarettes at sea in the Phi Phi Islands. This incident, captured in a video on social media, showed inappropriate behaviour within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province yesterday, April 26. The post was captioned with a scathing message…
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New liquid and gel rules enforced at Thailand airports
Thailand has introduced new rules governing how liquids, gels, and aerosols (LGAs) can be carried in hand luggage, tightening security measures at airports nationwide. The new regulations, which came into effect on Tuesday, April 22, were published in the Royal Gazette and supersede those introduced in 2019. “These updated rules, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), aim…
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Baht slump could boost Pattaya tourism in low season
As Pattaya gears up for its traditional low season, a silver lining has emerged, Thailand’s weakening baht could bring a welcome surge in foreign visitors. With the Thai currency slipping to 33.57 baht per US dollar yesterday, April 24, down from 33.39 the day before, analysts suggest the trend may continue, offering tourists more bang for their buck. “Foreign travellers…
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