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.

  • Crackdown on illegal alcohol sales at Pattaya Fireworks Festival | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand unveils proposed F1 circuit layout for Chatuchak, Bangkok | Thaiger

    Thailand unveils proposed F1 circuit layout for Chatuchak, Bangkok

    Thailand has officially revealed the proposed track layout for a Formula One (F1) street race in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, reigniting talks of bringing the world’s most prestigious motorsport event to the capital. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) released a draft layout of the circuit, which would wind through several iconic locations in central Bangkok. The 5.732 kilometre clockwise track…

  • Thailand eyes Saudi, Chinese and CIS tourist markets for 2025-26 growth | Thaiger

    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…

  • Tourists urged to stop rock stacking at natural attractions in Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Discover Thailand’s rich heritage at Ancient City: a journey through time | Thaiger

    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…

  • British groom denied flight to Thailand over smudged stamp | Thaiger

    British groom denied flight to Thailand over smudged stamp

    A British groom was barred from boarding a flight to Thailand for his honeymoon after airline staff flagged damage on his passport during check-in. The Brit, 31 year old Josh Reekie, was all set to jet off with his wife Eden for their dream £2,400 (around 105,600 baht) honeymoon when Etihad Airways staff at Manchester Airport denied him boarding. The…

  • Phuket to fast-track 21m baht tourism and infrastructure push | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit | Thaiger

    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…

  • Phuket leads Thailand’s tourist rebound with Russian boom | Thaiger

    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…

  • Chiang Rai’s White Temple to double tourist fee in 2026 | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai’s White Temple to double tourist fee in 2026

    Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai will double its entry fee for foreign tourists to support maintenance and upgrades at the popular temple attraction. Starting January 1, 2026, Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, will increase its entry fee for foreign tourists from 100 baht to 200 baht. The new ticket price includes access to the popular…

  • Thai push for new airline routes in north to boost tourism | Thaiger

    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…

  • Phuket airport expansion delay threatens tourism growth | Thaiger

    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…

  • UK lifts travel warning as Trat tourism gears up for rebound | Thaiger

    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…

  • Bang Saen Beach turns black, vendors fear tourist drop | Thaiger

    Bang Saen Beach turns black, vendors fear tourist drop

    Seawater at a popular beach in eastern Thailand turned black, raising concerns among visitors and vendors about health risks and a drop in tourism. Seawater along Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri has taken on a strange black hue, believed to be caused by a plankton bloom triggered by recent storms and rainfall. While there’s no unpleasant odour or danger…

  • Thailand adds extra day to new year break to boost travel | Thaiger

    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…

  • UK mum’s Thailand trip ruined over son’s passport sticker mark | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai tourism shines in London with wellness-themed showcase | Thaiger

    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…

  • Waterfall romp lands foreign couple in hot water on Koh Pha Ngan | Thaiger

    Waterfall romp lands foreign couple in hot water on Koh Pha Ngan

    An Israeli couple was caught having sex at a waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan, drawing backlash from tourists and prompting legal action by Thai police. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 4, at Wang Sai Waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, where the couple were seen engaging in sexual activity in broad daylight, seemingly unfazed by the presence of other…

  • Loy Krathong to rake in 6.5 billion baht despite toned-down mood | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand splashes 4 billion baht to keep MotoGP roaring till 2031 | Thaiger

    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…