Tourism News
Get your daily dose of Tourism News in Thailand with the latest updates on exciting destinations, events, and travel industry developments. We provide relevant and insightful information about Thailand’s diverse travel scene, which includes innovative hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and sustainable tourism practices. Stay informed on various tourism-related matters, including visa policies and major infrastructure projects, to ensure you’re always one step ahead in the vibrant world of travel.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Pattaya to become Southeast Asia’s premier destination
Pattaya, known for its bustling nightlife, is apparently trying to shed its old skin and emerge as a beacon of transformation in Southeast Asia. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable overhaul aimed at elevating visitor experiences and community living standards. Key infrastructure upgrades are at the heart of this makeover. Underground installations of electrical and communication cables, revamped road surfaces,…
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Rain or shine: Thailand’s secondary cities steal the travel spotlight
Travellers in Thailand are increasingly shifting their focus to the country’s secondary cities, especially during the rainy season. Digital travel platform Agoda reported a significant rise in accommodation searches for these often-overlooked locales, reflecting a growing trend among domestic and international tourists eager to explore Thailand’s diverse regions. Topping the list as the most-searched secondary city is Chanthaburi, followed by…
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Thailand boat shows merge for a splash-tacular Phuket event
The Thailand International Boat Show and Thailand Boat Festival are set to merge, creating the largest and most extravagant boat show Phuket has ever seen. This landmark event will take place at Phuket Yacht Haven from January 9 to 12 next year, promising a spectacular display of luxury yachts and lifestyle brands. The organisers of both prestigious events have announced…
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Climbing new heights: Chiang Mai tourism to scale rock enthusiasts
Chiang Mai tourism operators are eager to market the province’s mountainous allure to tap into the global rock climbing community of 44.5 million enthusiasts, while also advocating for government support to promote this sport across various provinces to boost the tourism sector. The acting president of the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, Punlop Saejew, recently highlighted the rock climbing market’s…
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Island hopping: Thailand’s new maritime route to revolutionise tourism
Thailand spearheads an ambitious project to link its stunning islands with Vietnam and Cambodia, promising to boost investment, trade, and tourism across the region. The Governor of Trat province, Natthapong Sanguanjit, recently chaired a meeting that gathered officials and business leaders from six provinces of the three countries. This initiative is part of the Cambodia-Vietnam-Thailand Economic Corridor (CVTEC) Trat Business…
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Ministry seeks 1billion baht tourism budget for new routes
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to request a 1 billion baht budget from the central emergency reserve fund to develop new tourism routes linking major cities to 55 notable destinations in a move to establish long-term tourism strategies. The proposed budget aims not only to organise events but to also develop new tourism routes and enhance infrastructure. Specifically,…
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Cave of Titans unearthed: Phayao locals make bone-chilling find
Locals in the Dok Kham Tai district of the northern province of Phayao discovered the Cave of Titans, where they believe a titan couple once lived, after discovering a rock filled with white bones inside. Although the exact date of the cave’s discovery remains unknown, multiple news agencies have recently reported the finding. Situated approximately 5 kilometres from the residential…
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Chinese tourists shift to local travel amid rising costs, visa woes
A shift in Chinese travel preferences is reshaping the global tourism landscape. Rising costs and visa challenges are driving Chinese tourists to opt for local and short-haul destinations instead of international travel. The slower-than-expected revival of China’s outbound travel market, which was the world’s top spender on international tourism pre-pandemic, is impacting travel-related businesses, hotels, and retailers worldwide. Eighteen months…
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South Koreans injured in Pattaya motorbike crash with Bolt rider
A South Korean tourist, livestreaming his motorbike ride around Pattaya with a friend, sustained injuries in a collision with a Thai Bolt rider early Sunday morning. The speeding Bolt rider suffered serious injuries. The incident took place at 2.20am yesterday at Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 9 on Pattaya Third Road, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. Responding swiftly, the Sawang…
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Pattaya tourists tread tightrope as bike rentals hog Beach Road
Complaints have arisen in Pattaya over motorcycle rental businesses allegedly monopolising public parking spaces along Beach Road, causing significant inconvenience for tourists. Residents yesterday voiced their concerns to the media, highlighting how these businesses park dozens of motorcycles on the roadside, making it challenging for tourists to find parking. Some motorcycles are even illegally parked, obstructing traffic and making it…
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Phuket boosts tourism safety with new lifeguard training initiative
Phuket’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS Phuket) is spearheading a workshop to bolster water tourism safety in the Andaman Tourism Development Zone. The Generation 1 project commenced on June 14 and continues through today at the Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa and Sirinat National Park. Key attendees include Panlop Prajong, a policy and planning analyst at MoTS Phuket,…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket for stealing over 50 coral rocks
Police in Phuket detained a Russian man found guilty of stealing more than 50 pieces of coral rock from the sea. The arrest occurred yesterday following a collaborative effort between the local police and tourist police. Officers tracked down 46 year old Alexsandr Krasilov outside the Siberyak restaurant in Rawai. Krasilov was apprehended for illegally removing coral rocks from the…
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Thailand tourism takes a tumble: WEF report
Thailand’s tourism industry has suffered a dramatic setback, plummeting 11 spots in the latest World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, leaving experts calling for urgent investment and innovation. In a devastating blow to the Thai government, which reported a modest 1.5% growth in the first quarter of 2024, the WEF index revealed Thailand’s fall from 36th to…
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Pattaya mayor’s big bet on Irish tourism
In a significant push to boost international tourism, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed H.E. Patrick Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Thailand, and his delegation. The high-profile visit centred on strengthening tourism ties and introducing measures to support Irish tourists in Pattaya. During the meeting, Mayor Poramet expressed his delight and honour in hosting Irish ambassador Bourne. Poramet emphasised…
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World Tourism Council: Innovative strategies to combat overtourism
Tourism is in crisis as overtourism sparks protests and unrest across the globe. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has a plan to turn the tide, urging cooperation between businesses and local communities to manage the influx of visitors. As travel demand skyrockets post-pandemic, locals in several countries are pushing back, calling for measures to control the surge of…
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Koh Samui steals spotlight: Readers rave over four island getaways
Readers of the popular American travel magazine Travel+Leisure voted four accommodations in Koh Samui as winners in the Beach+Island Resort category. Travel+Leisure released its 2024 Luxury Awards Asia Pacific ranking, allowing readers to nominate and vote for outstanding accommodations in various categories, including five-star urban escapes, private-island beach resorts, innovative spas, Instagram-worthy swimming pools, awesome airlines and airports, cruises, and…
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New SRT Royal Blossom train to boost Kanchanaburi tourism
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch the new SRT Royal Blossom tourist train, refurbished by Thai craftsmen, on the Kanchanaburi route by mid-August. The announcement came from Akranun Kannakitinan, a Kanchanaburi MP from the Pheu Thai Party. Akranun revealed that the refurbished train, featuring air-conditioned Hamanasu carriages from Japan, will soon commence operations. The train has…
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Budget airlines push jet fuel tax cut to reduce airfare prices
Budget airlines have issued an appeal to the Finance Ministry to reduce the excise tax on jet fuel, to help mitigate their operational costs with the fragile state of the industry. Following a meeting with representatives from low-cost airlines, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat reported that the carriers discussed economic challenges and reiterated their commitment to supporting government measures aimed…
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White Lotus effect: Thai resorts brace for tourist tsunami
As the fictional guests of Season 3 of The White Lotus bid farewell to their lavish Thai resort, tourists are gearing up for their tropical escape. The series recently concluded filming at multiple luxurious locations in Thailand. Although the show won’t air until next year, hotels and tour operators are already anticipating a White Lotus boom. The previous seasons of…
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Thailand tourism: A sustainable future for long-haul travel
Thailand’s tourism sector is turning its attention to long-haul travellers, leveraging enhanced flight connectivity and a commitment to sustainability. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled an ambitious strategy to attract visitors from far-flung destinations, with a focus on boosting airline routes and promoting eco-friendly tourism. At the recent Thailand Travel Mart+ (TTM+ 2024) in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province,…
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PM Srettha plans to transform Lamphun into a museum hub
To revitalise Thailand’s tourism sector, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is championing the transformation of Lamphun into a City of Museums and accelerating efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Nan. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, PM Srettha highlighted these ambitious proposals following his recent visits to several provinces. He was particularly impressed by the innovative vision of Lamphun’s…
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Thailand to unveil five-year digital nomad visa
Thailand is on the verge of launching a much-anticipated digital nomad visa, granting remote workers the golden opportunity to reside and work in the country hassle-free for up to five years. In the past, Thailand unveiled the Thailand Elite Visa to attract foreign expatriates and tourists, offering unlimited entry and exit privileges alongside membership in the esteemed Thailand Privilege programme.…
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Skill workshop to transform Thailand’s tourism industry
To revolutionise Thailand’s tourism sector, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting the Ignite Tourism Thailand: TAT Skill Factory workshop. This ambitious initiative is part of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision to establish Thailand as a top global tourism destination. The workshop will be held from June 15 to 16 at the Ambassador Hotel Bangkok, drawing an expected 300…
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Traffic police crack down on dangerous tourist habits on Koh Larn
To ramp up safety and spread awareness, Pattaya police have launched a rapid response team on Koh Larn, targeting risky tourist behaviours. Pattaya police have launched a rapid response team on Koh Larn to boost safety and raise public awareness. This initiative focuses on the hazards posed by motorcycle rentals and golf cart use among tourists, aiming to prevent accidents…
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Government pushes for UNESCO status for Nan to boost tourism
The Government of Thailand announced plans to promote cultural tourism between Nan in northern Thailand and Luang Prabang, the historic capital of Laos, with the ultimate aim of nominating Nan as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site. Government spokesperson Chai Watcharonke revealed that the Cabinet had approved the Culture Ministry’s proposal in March, highlighting…
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Thailand is fast becoming a global LGBTQIA+ hub
Thailand is on the brink of becoming the ultimate destination for the LGBTQIA+ community, thanks to its welcoming environment, progressive policies, and the recent launch of the Pink Plus Economy initiative. This revolutionary move, announced on Sunday by Borderless.lgbt, aims to create a supportive ecosystem for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Thailand, encompassing living, family planning, and retirement. The initiative is backed…
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Tourism industry demands action amid 300-baht fee controversy
Thailand’s private sector is urging the government to address the supply side of tourism after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the suspension of a proposed 300-baht fee for foreign tourists. This fee was intended to establish a tourism development fund. Chamnan Srisawat, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) stated that The government’s performance over the past eight months…
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Thailand scraps controversial tourist tax scheme
In a dramatic U-turn, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the cancellation of the highly debated tourist tax. Initially proposed as a post-pandemic measure, the 300 baht tax at airports and 150 baht tax by land or sea, caused a storm of opposition from the travel industry due to its ambiguity and potential for confusion. The National Tourism Policy Committee…
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Thailand takes flight with airlines to boost tourism in 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is soaring to new heights, actively courting partnerships with a sky-high count of 11 international airlines to elevate both burgeoning and established markets in the latter part of this year. With the long-haul market expected to fly in at least 770 billion baht from a soaring flock of 10.8 million foreign visitors in 2024,…
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Thailand frights: TAT’s haunting new tour beckons Spanish tourists
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is targeting foreign tourists, especially from Spain, as plans get underway to launch a tour of haunted attractions. The Deputy Governor of the European, African, Middle Eastern, and American Markets of TAT, Siripakorn Chiaosamut, reported on Saturday, June 8, that he discussed the project with the Spanish ambassador in Thailand and found that Spanish people would…
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