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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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 tourism council to allocate visitor fees
The Tourism Council of Thailand plans to allocate a tourism fund, garnered from fees collected from foreign visitors, predominantly for the improvement of the tourism sector by state agencies. The fund, according to Surawat Akaraworamat, the Vice-President of the Tourism Council, is being prepared for implementation as soon as the government greenlights the project. Three subcommittees have been working relentlessly…
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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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EVA Air announces major fleet upgrade with Airbus A350s and A321neos
EVA Air, a leading global airline, is excited to announce a significant upgrade to its fleet with the acquisition of new, next-generation Airbus aircraft. This strategic move is set to enhance the airline’s operational efficiency and passenger experience. EVA Air has outlined plans to purchase 18 Airbus A350-1000 wide-body aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2030. Additionally, the airline…
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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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Thailand PM denies rumours of inviting Chinese police for tourist patrols
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin quashed rumours about inviting Chinese police to patrol the nation’s tourist hotspots. The clarification comes in light of a recent uproar following remarks from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) regarding such an arrangement. PM Srettha, during a visit to San Francisco, revealed that the country’s interest lies solely in collaborating with Chinese police for…
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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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Family tourism rises in Pattaya despite extended nightlife hours
In Pattaya, Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, who operates as the Executive Director of Sunshine Hotels & Resorts, made a public announcement on November 10 about the rise in family tourism trends, despite the extended service hours till 4am in four pilot provinces. Thanet recounted how, in the past, over 90% of overseas visitors were drawn to Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife. They would congregate…
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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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The Coffee Club expands with 24/7 and pet-friendly services in Bangkok
The Minor Food Group Plc subsidiary, The Coffee Club, is venturing into new market avenues with its innovative 24-hour service and pet-friendly concept at specific locations. This strategy has been adopted to increase sustainable sales and enhance customer experience. Nongchanok Stananonth, the General Manager, highlighted that their inaugural 24/7 Coffee Club at Staybridge Suites Bangkok, Sukhumvit 55, opened its doors…
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Budget travel: Thai travelers choose affordability amid economic instability
In the wake of an unpredictable global economy, travellers are becoming increasingly cost-conscious. A recent survey by online travel agency Booking.com revealed that the majority of Thai citizens are apprehensive about the escalating cost of living and are thus curtailing their expenditure on travel, opting for budget travel instead. Michelle Gao, the regional manager for the Mekong region at Booking.com,…
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Phuket tourism operators push for international convention centre
In a bid to elevate Phuket’s status as an exhibition hub, local tourism operators are urging for the rapid implementation of a long-stalled project for an international convention centre and a freeport city initiative. The urgency has arisen due to the impending enforcement of new environmental laws which may necessitate a redesign of the project. The Health Ministry recently abandoned…
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Phuket Airport’s rain-check: Dampening floors lead to a slip-up
Phuket International Airport, managed by Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket), recently experienced a minor slip-up. A leaky roof in the arrivals hall of the domestic terminal led to some disruption, leading the airport to extend a public apology and caution to those visiting the terminal about the possibility of a dampening experience on the floor. The apology from AoT Phuket…
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Government sets up command centre for visa-free Indian and Taiwanese tourists
A command centre has been established by the government in preparation for the influx of tourists from India and Taiwan. The visa-free entry policy, starting tomorrow, is expected to draw a significant number of visitors. The high season is around the corner, and to avoid overcrowding at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, several agencies have been asked to contribute to…
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Economic hurdles hamper Thailand’s tourist market recovery despite visa exemptions
Tourism operators have indicated that economic challenges are hindering the recovery of tourist markets from China, Taiwan, and India, despite Thailand’s recent introduction of visa exemptions. These exemptions, implemented for Chinese visitors since September 25, have had limited effect due to perceptions of Thailand as unsafe and China’s sluggish economic growth, according to Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, ex-president of the Chon Buri…
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Patong: Boosting tourist safety on Bangla Road with new STC project
Major General Saksira Phueakam, Commissioner of Tourist Police, recently embarked on a tour of the bustling Bangla Road in Patong, a hotspot for tourists, as part of a new initiative aimed at enhancing safety and security for visitors in the forthcoming high season. This came on the heels of Maj. Gen. Saksira’s launch of the Strong Tourism Community (STC) project,…
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ICONSIAM’s billion baht renovation: M and first floors set for stunning transformation
ICONSIAM Mall is preparing a substantial investment of 1 billion baht for a significant renovation of the complex, set to start in July 2024. The refurbishment is specifically targeted at the M and first floors of ICONSIAM, with the project expected to run until mid-2025. The company’s managing director, Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, explained that the ICONSIAM billion baht renovation will adjust…
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Thailand’s tourist districts may extend nightlife hours to boost economy
The Interior Ministry announced yesterday that before entertainment venues in key tourist districts can prolong their extended nightlight hours until 4am, public hearings and amendments to some regulations will be necessary. This plan forms part of the government’s attempts to stimulate the economy in the upcoming high tourist season, a measure championed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Interior Minister Anutin…
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Foreign national arrested for overstaying visa launching Crime Free Phuket year two
A foreign national was taken into custody at the weekend at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by 80 days. This event marks the launch of the second year of the Crime Free Phuket initiative run by the local Immigration Bureau. The past year has seen the arrest of 188 individuals, with overstaying visas accounting for 66 of these…
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Thai AirAsia launches fly-thru flight to boost up lesser-visited provinces
Thai AirAsia has launched a new fly-thru service connecting Phuket to Don Mueang Airport and Phitsanulok. The aim is to encourage foreign tourists visiting Phuket to explore and discover lesser-visited provinces like Phitsanulok and other areas in the lower northern region of Thailand. Sasiwan Siphrom, the President of the Tourism Council of the Lower Northern Provinces, highlighted that in collaboration…
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Ayutthaya proposed as new logistics hub amidst Thai-Chinese rail development
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed to the government to establish Ayutthaya as a new logistics hub. This development is in anticipation of the increasing investment stimulated by the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail system. The suggested logistics hub would integrate with Ayutthaya’s existing rail, road, and river transport network. In addition, there is…
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Four Thailand provinces extend nightlife venue hours to boost economy
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and Phuket, four prime Thai provinces, are all set to extend the operational hours of their nightlife venues including bars and pubs until 4am. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the decision, which is set to come into effect from December 15, as part of an initiative to boost domestic tourism and the economy. PM Srettha…
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