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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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • China finally reveals results of Wuhan wet market Covid-19 investigation

    China finally reveals results of Wuhan wet market Covid-19 investigation

    China finally answered calls to reveal and publish an analysis of samples taken from animals at a wet market in Wuhan linked to the outbreak of Covid-19 and guess what? Definitive proof of how the outbreak started still remains inconclusive. The Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market in Wuhan, China has been a key focus in the search for the origin of Covid…

  • PM’s plan to tackle soaring cost of air ticket prices in Thailand

    PM’s plan to tackle soaring cost of air ticket prices in Thailand

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has taken charge to address the soaring prices of air tickets with a comprehensive five-point plan. The plan comes after Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate informed the ministry of the measures taken and those in the pipeline to address the substantial hikes due to the surge in demand after the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent decision…

  • Thailand’s Koh Kradan voted best beach on earth

    Thailand’s Koh Kradan voted best beach on earth

    Thailand’s unspoiled Koh Kradan island off the coast of Trang province was ranked the best of the ‘Top 100 Beaches on Earth 2023‘ by the UK website World Beach Guide. Four other Thai beaches made the top 100 including Railay Beach in Krabi province (9), Freedom Beach in Phuket (18), Laem Beach on Koh Yao Yai island in Phang Nga…

  • Big Oil Majors production cuts, what this means to airfares

    Big Oil Majors production cuts, what this means to airfares

    The recent move by the Big Oil Majors to cut production by over one million barrels a day as a “precautionary” measure to stabilize the oil market will have a domino effect on airfares, according to industry experts. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday announced plans to lower oil production by 1.16 million barrels per day, starting…

  • Agoda reveals top 5 cheapest tourist destinations in Thailand

    Agoda reveals top 5 cheapest tourist destinations in Thailand

    Khon Kaen – the capital of Isaan – is the cheapest tourist destination in Thailand, offering the most competitive room rates, according to online travel giant Agoda. The average going room rate in Khon Kaen on Agoda’s platform is 1,030 Thai baht (US$30). Joining Khon Kaen in the top five most affordable tourist destinations in Thailand – based on average room…

  • Discover Thailand’s best budget friendly accommodation

    Discover Thailand’s best budget friendly accommodation

    Are you planning a trip to Thailand but worried about your budget? Don’t fret! Thailand offers a plethora of budget-friendly accommodation options that don’t compromise on comfort and convenience. From the bustling city of Bangkok to the pristine beaches of Krabi and Phuket, there’s something for everyone. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top 5 budget-friendly hotels in…

  • Thailand’s Surat Thani province expects over 90,000 tourists during Songkran

    Thailand’s Surat Thani province expects over 90,000 tourists during Songkran

    Get ready for a blast of Songkran tourism coming up in Thailand! Thailand’s Surat Thani province is expecting to welcome more than 90,000 tourists during the upcoming Songkran festival period. According to the Surat Thani Governor, Vichawut Jintoe, over 67,000 foreign tourists and 23,000 Thai tourists are expected to visit the southern province from April 13 to 16. Surat Thani…

  • Best Koh Samui’s sunset bars

    Best Koh Samui’s sunset bars

    Koh Samui, a picturesque island in Thailand, is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and vibrant nightlife. Among its many attractions, the island’s sunset bars stand out as must-visit destinations, offering breathtaking views of the sun setting over the horizon while guests enjoy refreshing beverages and delicious local cuisine. Spanning from idyllic beachfront venues to spectacular clifftop bars,…

  • Swedish man arrested for alleged sexual assault on Bangkok-Mumbai flight claims mental health issues

    Swedish man arrested for alleged sexual assault on Bangkok-Mumbai flight claims mental health issues

    The lawyer of a Swedish man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a member of the cabin crew on a Bangkok to Mumbai flight claims he has mental health problems and did not mean to touch the woman. Klas Erik Harald Jonas Westberg reportedly molested a stewardess on IndiGo flight 6E-1052 from Thailand to India on Thursday, the Indian Express reported.…

  • Take a Thai history trip on a cute Japanese train

    Take a Thai history trip on a cute Japanese train

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has organised a rail travel tourism programme under the concept of “retrace history,” serviced by cute KIHA 183 passenger trains recently donated by Japan, according to an announcement by government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. The SRT has arranged the following programme in April to give tourists a new, educational experience and insight into Thailand’s history…

  • Rare display of Bryde’s whales wows tourists in Andaman Sea

    Rare display of Bryde’s whales wows tourists in Andaman Sea

    Tourists enjoying a boat trip yesterday were treated to a rare display of a pair of Bryde’s whales showing off in the Andaman Sea off Phang Na province. According to Lertsak Ponklin, the president of Phang Nga Tourism Business Association, the two giant sea mammals were spotted frolicking in the Similan Islands National Park. The tourists aboard the Wow Andaman…

  • Hong Kong Airlines to launch direct flights to Phuket

    Hong Kong Airlines to launch direct flights to Phuket

    Low-cost carrier Hong Kong Airlines will launch a direct flight to Phuket in southern Thailand, starting June 16, 2023. An Airbus A320 will service the direct Hong Kong – Phuket route four times per week to meet rising demand as tourists return to Thailand in full force. The outbound flight will depart from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 8.20pm…

  • Get soaked in fun, frolics and Thailand’s Songkran Festival

    Get soaked in fun, frolics and Thailand’s Songkran Festival

    Filled full of festivals, fun and frolics, April is one of the most celebrated months of the year in Thailand with the traditional Thai New Year of Songkran one of the most culturally important celebrations in the kingdom. The Songkran festival is known worldwide and is celebrated to honour family values, pay respect to seniors, and participate in traditional ceremonies…

  • Koh Chang Karp emerges as southern Thailand’s stunning new diving spot

    Koh Chang Karp emerges as southern Thailand’s stunning new diving spot

    Koh Chang Karp has recently emerged as the most stunning scuba diving destination in Trang, in the southern part of Thailand. Local tour boats hailed the island as the most beautiful scuba diving site in the province. Koh Chang Karp, also known as Koh Reur Rop (battleship island), is a hidden gem located between two popular attractions in Trang: Koh…

  • Tourism Authority of Thailand partners with Agoda, Alipay, Klook and KKDay

    Tourism Authority of Thailand partners with Agoda, Alipay, Klook and KKDay

    Tourism Authority of Thailand has joined forces with Agoda, Alipay, Klook and KKDay in a new joint marketing initiative aimed at increasing tourism in the kingdom. Each of the platforms will launch promotions and campaigns to boost tourism in Thailand and enhance awareness of experience-based tourism activities in major and secondary Thai destinations. Representatives from the four online platforms joined TAT…

  • Police close nightclub after raid on Pattaya Walking Street

    Police close nightclub after raid on Pattaya Walking Street

    Pattaya Police will recommend the closure of a popular nightclub to the provincial governor after the venue’s repeated license violations on the district’s notorious Walking Street. Flexx Club on Walking Street in tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, was raided by police in the early hours of this morning for violating legal operating hours. The raid, led by Pattaya Police…

  • Tourists in Thailand urged to download ‘Tourist Police i lert u’ app

    Tourists in Thailand urged to download ‘Tourist Police i lert u’ app

    Foreign tourists in Thailand are advised to download the app “Tourist Police i lert u” which they can use to quickly and conveniently contact the police in case of an emergency, according to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. Not to be confused with the Thai version of the app, “police i lert u,” the tourist version of the app is available…

  • TAT and Tinder team up to launch Single Journey tours for single travellers

    TAT and Tinder team up to launch Single Journey tours for single travellers

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tinder dating app have teamed up to launch “Single Journey Season 2” tours for single travellers who want to find a travel partner and make their trip more meaningful. The first season of Single Journey was launched in December 2020. It offered three different trips for 100 single travellers who won free…

  • Brawl erupts between foreign staff and foreign tourists at Phuket restaurant (video)

    Brawl erupts between foreign staff and foreign tourists at Phuket restaurant (video)

    A violent brawl erupted between three foreign staff members at a restaurant in the Patong area of Phuket, southern Thailand, and five drunk foreign tourists in the early hours of this morning. Partygoers notified Patong Police Station that a group of foreign tourists and a group of foreign restaurant staff were attacking each other with chairs at Atlas Restaurant on…

  • 2 foreigners arrested while acting as illegal tour guides

    2 foreigners arrested while acting as illegal tour guides

    Two foreign nationals have been arrested by the Department of Employment (DoE) for illegally working as tour guides in Bangkok. They were caught near the Ratchaprasong intersection in Pathumwan district. The suspects, a Chinese and a Vietnamese national, were detained after the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand (PGAT) lodged complaints last week that foreign tour guides were stealing their…

  • South Thailand island to be developed as world-class tourism spot

    South Thailand island to be developed as world-class tourism spot

    An island in South Thailand is set to be developed as a world-class tourism spot. Koh Adang, located in the southern border province of Satun, is set to become a world-class tourism destination like Langkawi in Malaysia, according to the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC). Satun province is renowned for its picturesque natural scenery, with jungles, mountains, and beaches.…

  • Foreigners complain they can’t swim at Koh Samui beach due to smelly oil spill

    Foreigners complain they can’t swim at Koh Samui beach due to smelly oil spill

    French and German tourists complained that a smelly oil spill prevented them from swimming at Maenam Beach yesterday in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. A German man told reporters that he went to the beach to sunbathe and play in the water. But when he tried to go swimming, he noticed a foul smell emanating from the sea.…

  • Chinese KOLs livestream their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises

    Chinese KOLs livestream their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises

    Chinese Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) have been livestreaming their adventures in Thailand’s tropical paradises. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently collaborated with Kuaishou Technology, a Chinese short video-sharing mobile app, to bring Chinese KOLs to Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga for a “Travel Adventures Thailand Episode” livestream series. The series began on Wednesday, March 15, and ends today (March…

  • Japan voted top sustainable country, Thailand ranked fifth

    Japan voted top sustainable country, Thailand ranked fifth

    Japan has been praised by fellow Asian countries for its sustainability and conservation efforts in a new poll with Thailand claiming fifth place, would you believe? Over 13,000 respondents from more than ten countries participated in the Sustainable Impact Survey 2023 conducted by the online travel agency Agoda. The respondents were asked to rank countries based on their sustainability efforts, and…

  • Bangkok ranks 5th on Airbnb’s top trending global travel spots in 2023

    Bangkok ranks 5th on Airbnb’s top trending global travel spots in 2023

    Airbnb‘s latest data shows that Bangkok has emerged as one of the top global travel spots for 2023, coming in fifth on its list of top trending destinations. The Thai capital is No.5 on Airbnb’s list of top trending global travel spots in 2023, however, this is a slight drop since it was No.1 in the third quarter of last year.…

  • Chinese netizens critisised Thai tourism for being expensive and dangerous

    Chinese netizens critisised Thai tourism for being expensive and dangerous

    Chinese netizens criticised Thai tourism for being expensive and dangerous. A Chinese male influencer who claims to be a psychiatrist added Thailand also traps Chinese women in prostitution and is a nation of organ trafficking. Thai tourism was a hot topic on Chinese social media last week. It began when a Chinese media agency published an article on March 13,…

  • Safari park in Thailand responds to bungee cord incident that nearly killed Hong Kong tourist

    Safari park in Thailand responds to bungee cord incident that nearly killed Hong Kong tourist

    UPDATE Today, staff from Chang Thai Thappraya Safari Park in Pattaya, Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, commented on the broken bungee cord incident that nearly killed a tourist from Hong Kong last month. The bungee jump operator, 41 year old Natthaphon Yokcharoen, took reporters to see the scene of the incident, a platform about 30 metres high above a lake. Nattaphon…

  • Chinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes

    Chinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes

    Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai are walking around in traditional Thai clothes during their sightseeing tours. After three years of travel restrictions due to Covid-19, Chinese tourists have returned to Thailand with a thirst for authentic experiences. This has created a trend in which Chinese tourists stand out in their finery at historical temples and other attractions in the northern…

  • Passport rip leaves TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand

    Passport rip leaves TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand

    A passport rip left a TikTok creator unable to fly to Thailand. Arabella Leat’s holiday plans to Thailand with her mum were ruined due to the small rip on her passport, the UK tabloid Daily Star reported. The young woman was left disappointed and unable to board her flight after airport staff deemed her passport unfit for travel. Arabella posted a TikTok…

  • First charter flight from Mahan, Iran makes its way to Phuket

    First charter flight from Mahan, Iran makes its way to Phuket

    The first charter flight from Mahan, Iran, made its way to Phuket on Monday. Mahan Air flight W557/IRM057 landed at Phuket International Airport at 2.30pm. As tourism from the Middle East continues to be a major target market for Thailand, the new charter flight network was warmly welcomed. Officials and staff were on hand to greet passengers as they walked…