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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Chinese tourists still prefer Thailand despite visa exemptions
Despite increasing competition from countries offering visa exemptions to Chinese tourists, Thailand’s tourism industry remains secure due to its dominant market share and increased expenditure per trip, according to the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have started offering visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, yet Thailand continues to be the preferred destination, said…
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Loy Krathong chaos at Chiang Mai Airport: 160 flights shuffled, travellers beware!
With the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival in sight, Chiang Mai Airport is set to experience a whirlwind of changes, with a staggering 160 flights facing disruptions from November 27 to 28, post 7pm. Chiang Mai Airport Deputy Director Wisut Khamyod revealed today a jaw-dropping 101 cancellations and 59 rescheduled flights, creating a turbulence level hitting 47% of regular air traffic.…
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Former TAT governor urges government to boost Chinese visitor numbers
The former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor urged the government to reconsider its tourism strategy to improve the dwindling Chinese market. Predictions for this year suggest that arrivals from China will only total 26.8% of the 2019 level. Former TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn suggested that the government should negotiate with China to secure more flight routes and slots for Thai…
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Nok Air hit by widespread flight delays amid technical issues
A recent surge in delayed flights by Nok Air sparked widespread discussion about the airline‘s on-time performance (OTP). Passengers’ experiences of these delays were brought to light this week when renowned television reporter Thapanee Eadsrichai shared on Facebook that many passengers on a Nok Air flight from Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Mai had to be relocated to other flights…
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Thailand’s visa exemption policy for Chinese unaffected despite low flight demand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced that the government’s visa exemption policy for Chinese citizens remains unaffected amidst the cancellation of flight slots by several Chinese airlines due to low passenger demand. These airlines had previously secured slots for flights to Thailand, inclusive of ground handling services for their aircraft, only to relinquish their landing and take-off rights due to…
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Northern Thailand: Gate to Heaven stirs debate due to similarity to Bali temple
A recent opening of a new tourist spot in Nan province, Thailand, named Gate to Heaven sparked widespread criticism for its striking resemblance to the famous Lempuyang Temple in Bali, Indonesia. The site’s replication of the iconic Lepuyang Temple ignited a heated online debate about cultural appropriation and originality in tourism. The Gate to Heaven became a trending topic on…
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Panda Lab exposes travel scam causing loss of 50 million baht to tourists
Prominent medical technician Panda Lab raised the alarm over a popular travel scam that has caused hundreds of victims to lose over 50 million baht. The Consumer Organisation Council has outlined channels for filing complaints. Today, Panda Lab’s Facebook page revealed that several hundred people have been victims of a prominent tour page. The victims had initially booked a tour,…
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PM Srettha unveils proactive diplomacy for Thai global influence
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday unveiled a fresh approach to foreign policy, dubbed proactive diplomacy, aimed at empowering Thai representatives abroad to stimulate trade, investment, and tourism, and enhance Thailand’s global influence. The 61 year old prime minister detailed his proactive diplomacy policy at a yearly gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by Thai ambassadors, consul-generals, commerce…
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Airlines request more flight slots into Thailand, CAAT reveals
A request for slot redistribution has been lodged by several airlines as they plan to increase flights into Thailand, reveals an insider from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This request was presented to CAAT’s top executives at the 153rd Slot Conference that took place in Dubai from November 14 to 17. This biannual gathering, arranged by the International…
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Pink Line monorail: Thailand’s consumer council pushes for 20 baht fare cap
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is pressing for a fare cap of 20 baht per trip on the impending Pink Line monorail. This monorail, whose commercial service launch is planned for December 18, would then comply with the current Red and Purple Line services’ rates. This is part of the government’s strategy to alleviate living costs. During the trial phase…
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Sea-rious splash: Russian tourist makes waves with daring swim between Pattaya’s viewpoints (video)
A Russian tourist sent shockwaves through the local community when he was found swimming in the sea between Pattaya’s Khao Phra Tamnak viewpoint and Koh Larn. The incident occurred around 1pm today. Asadakorn Bangsi, also known as Copy, the owner of Koh Larn’s accommodation, reported the event to the Khaosod Online after sharing the story on TikTok. Asadakorn revealed the…
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Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…
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Temperature plummets to 11 degrees in Huai Nam Dang National Park
Huai Nam Dang National Park in Mae Hong Son Province is experiencing a rapid drop in temperature, reaching as low as 11 degrees Celsius. The park’s head anticipates the temperature may soon dip into single digits, possibly leading to frost. Buncha Ramsiri, the head of Huai Nam Dang National Park, disclosed that the lowest temperature recorded this morning was 11…
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Thailand sees surge in airfares despite low travel season
Airfares in Thailand witnessed a substantial increase in the third quarter of this year, despite it traditionally being a low season for travel. This surge was driven by a robust travel demand. Thai AirAsia, for instance, observed a 22% year-on-year rise in its airfares during this period, while Bangkok Airways’ rates saw a 15% hike. The average fare price for…
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Phuket’s Patong beachfront to host air-sea rescue exercise
The beachfront of Patong in Phuket is set to become a stage for an elaborate display of emergency preparedness. The impending air-sea rescue exercise, initially slated to take place later this month, is part of a series of events aimed at showcasing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists, announced Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday. The mock disaster scenario…
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Bangkok ranked fourth most searched destination in the world
One of the world’s leading online travel agencies ranked Bangkok as the fourth most searched destination in the world. Prime Minister Office Spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the good news for Thai tourism at a recent press conference, saying that Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, was praised by eDreams Odigeo, is one of the top ten destinations most searched for by…
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Thailand sees 5% tourism expenditure rise despite high living costs
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a 5% surge in tourism expenditure during this year’s Loy Krathong festival, amounting to a total of 6.1 billion baht. The anticipated increase comes despite the country’s locals exercising caution due to escalating living costs. TAT forecasts that the festival will witness around 2.04 million domestic journeys, a 10% rise from the previous…
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Tourists travelling less but spending more in luxury Thai tourism
The luxury travel sector is witnessing a peculiar trend: tourists are travelling less but spending more, according to the observations from Pimalai Resort and Spa, a hospitality establishment located on Koh Lanta. The resort has also noted that Krabi tourism is grappling with the dearth of international flights, especially from China. The resort’s owner, Charintip Tiyaphorn, revealed that despite the…
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Amorous retreat rumble: Resort guest’s unwanted vibrato experience sparks amusement (video)
A resort guest documented her discomfort during her stay as her accommodation vibrated due to the amorous activities of a couple in the neighbouring room. The vibrations continued from 8pm to 2am and resumed in the morning, leaving her and her friend unable to sleep. The guest, known as @bella_cutecute, shared her experience on TikTok and urged all resorts to…
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Smooth sailing: Suvarnabhumi Airport’s snazzy channels promise swift boarding for foreign jet-setters
Foreign passengers will soon experience expedited boarding at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, thanks to the introduction of automatic channels set to go live next month. The move aims to ease congestion at the airport, allowing for a smoother transit experience for travellers. Currently, the automatic processing at Suvarnabhumi is limited to travellers holding Thai, Hong Kong or Singaporean passports, as relayed…
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Amazing Seafood Festival 2023: Si Racha gears up for shell-ebration
The coastal town of Si Racha is ready to host the highly anticipated Amazing Seafood Festival 2023, taking place from November 25 to 27. This gastronomical extravaganza is expected to be a major draw for food enthusiasts, with a smorgasbord of sea-derived delicacies being prepared for the attendees to savour. From the freshest of sashimi to succulent squid, shrimp, richly…
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Northern Thailand: Tourists flock to Doi Mae U-Kor for stunning blooming Mexican sunflowers
The Doi Mae U-Kor mountain is currently attracting a throng of tourists eager to admire the sprawling fields of blooming Mexican sunflowers. These golden blooms, stretching across 500 acres of hillside, have become a significant draw for visitors, both Thai and international. It is expected that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will receive no less than 100,000 visitors this…
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Doi Inthanon’s chilly spell boosts tourism in Chiang Mai
Tourist activity is bustling in Chiang Mai as visitors flock to experience the chilly weather of Doi Inthanon, witness the sunrise, and admire the beautiful sea of mist. Doi Inthanon National Park, located in Jomthong, Chiang Mai, reported the cool morning atmosphere at 7am, with temperatures plunging to a low of 9 degrees Celsius at the peak of the mountain. Temperatures…
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Pattaya businesses backs discarded proposal for Chinese police patrols in Thailand
Pattaya Nightlife Business Association chairwoman Lamphueng Hamilton expressed her support for a now-discarded proposal for Chinese police officers to patrol popular tourist areas in Thailand. The proposal, originally mooted by the Thai government, has since been unequivocally dismissed. However, several Pattaya-based private tourism operators continue to champion the idea. Their support stems from a notable decrease in Chinese visitors, which…
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Thai tourism minister rejects proposal for Chinese police to protect tourists
Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol stressed there will be no policy allowing Chinese police to participate in the protection of Chinese tourists in Thailand. She firmly believes in the potential of Thai police to instil confidence and does not anticipate any negative impact on the number of Chinese tourists. At 9.20am this morning, at the Government House, Sudawan, the Minister of…
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European tourists decline by 50% in Koh Kut amid global tensions
A drastic 50% drop in the number of European tourists visiting the Koh Kut district in Trat has been witnessed this year, as reported by the chairman of the Koh Kut administrative organisation. The chairman, who also operates a resort on the island, revealed that around 160,000 to 170,000 tourists visited the district last year, contributing to a revenue of…
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Shade crusaders: Phuket’s Multicoloured Umbrella Group seeks sun-soaked justice from governor for beachfront comeback
The sandy shores of Phuket reverberated with a plea for help from a collective of former umbrella vendors, now united as the Multicoloured Umbrella Group. Previously engaged in setting up beach umbrellas at Karon, these individuals are now appealing for the intervention of Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat. Their request? A fair reinstatement to their beachfront locations, allowing them to resume…
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Tourist truce: PM Srettha makes a ‘Great Wall’ of friendship, inviting Chinese police to patrol in Thailand
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin planned to ask Chinese police to join patrols at several tourist attractions in Thailand to win the trust of tourists from the People’s Republic of China. Unexpectedly, the visa-free policy is failing to attract Chinese tourists to Thailand after the pandemic. Most Chinese tourists are reportedly worried about their safety in Thailand following the death…
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French President Macron supports establishment of Wat Pho Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly thrown his support behind the establishment of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, colloquially known as Wat Pho Paris, in the French capital. This announcement was made during a reception at the Elysee Palace for Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of the original Wat Pho in Thailand, who is currently in France for the…
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Drumming up excitement: Phuket’s Surin Beach beats to the rhythm of tourism’s future with groundbreaking Glass Terrace project
The sound of ceremonial drums echoed across Surin Beach, Phuket, early this morning marking the start of construction on a project of substantial tourism potential – the Glass Terrace. With an estimated completion time of two years, this 198 million baht project is anticipated to become a significant tourist attraction along the island’s west coast. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony was…
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