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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Bangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week

    Bangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week

    A popular travel booking platform, Agoda, reported that Bangkok is one of the top five destinations among Chinese tourists for the upcoming Golden Week from October 1 to 7. Agoda revealed the number of searches for overseas accommodations by Chinese nationals on September 23. The report showed that the number of searches increased by 137% compared to the same period…

  • Domestic tourism makes tracks but misses 1 trillion baht mark

    Domestic tourism makes tracks but misses 1 trillion baht mark

    Domestic tourism is on track to achieve 200 million trips this year, though revenue is anticipated to fall short of the 1 trillion baht (US$30 billion) target, reaching only 965 billion baht (US$29.3 billion). The private sector is urging for the promotion of second-tier cities through a loyalty programme to bolster local tourism. From January to July, domestic tourism receipts…

  • Condor resumes direct flights from Frankfurt to Thailand

    Condor resumes direct flights from Frankfurt to Thailand

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Condor flight DE2368 from Frankfurt, Germany, to Phuket International Airport yesterday, September 22, marking the resumption of direct flights by Condor after a pandemic-induced hiatus. This significant event is expected to contribute to the recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector, with TAT predicting over 979,000 German tourists to visit Thailand this year, generating an…

  • New York Times spotlight on Thai dish Larb Gai goes viral

    New York Times spotlight on Thai dish Larb Gai goes viral

    The New York Times’ recent feature on the Thai dish Larb Gai (minced chicken salad) has captured international attention, quickly going viral. The renowned media outlet, with over 19 million followers on Facebook, shared a detailed post about this popular Thai dish, sparking widespread interest. Larb Gai, a dish made from minced chicken, is cooked with mint leaves, basil leaves,…

  • Bangkok travel fair promises to unlock your ‘travel DNA’

    Bangkok travel fair promises to unlock your ‘travel DNA’

    Bangkok is buzzing this weekend with the DNA Travel Fair & Festival, where the hottest new trends in Thai tourism are on full display. Running until tomorrow, September 22, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, this event promises an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking fresh, innovative holiday ideas. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed that the…

  • New rules at Bali Hai Pier promise smoother sailing for tourists

    New rules at Bali Hai Pier promise smoother sailing for tourists

    Pattaya’s Laem Bali Hai Pier has finally received a much-needed makeover after years of chaotic operations and tourist headaches. In a bid to overhaul the pier’s reputation, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet announced yesterday, September 19, a bold set of regulations to put an end to the disorder. Serving more than 10,000 visitors daily, the pier has long been plagued by fierce…

  • AirAsia MOVE unveils exclusive discounts for Visa cardholders

    AirAsia MOVE unveils exclusive discounts for Visa cardholders

    AirAsia MOVE has identified three major travel trends gaining popularity: sustainable tourism, experiential travel, and domestic tourism. These travel styles align with the preferences of modern travellers who seek value-for-money deals, such as flight and hotel packages with special discounts, credit card perks, and eco-friendly destinations. AirAsia MOVE promptly offers exclusive discounts with no minimum spend for Visa cardholders, encouraging…

  • Phanom district honoured at Beautiful District Awards in Bangkok

    Phanom district honoured at Beautiful District Awards in Bangkok

    Phanom district in Bangkok received an honourable mention at the Ministry of Interior’s Beautiful District Awards ceremony held yesterday. The event, organised by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association, and the Department of Local Administration, celebrated districts providing exemplary public services. The ceremony took place at the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao. Present at the…

  • Krabi closes marine attractions until Sunday due to rough seas

    Krabi closes marine attractions until Sunday due to rough seas

    Krabi’s Marine National Park has temporarily closed its marine tourist attractions for four days, from September 19 to 22, due to strong winds and rough seas. The National Park raised red flags across various tourist spots in the area. Had Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi announced that red flags have been placed at all marine tourist…

  • Thailand unveils destination visa to attract remote workers

    Thailand unveils destination visa to attract remote workers

    The Government of Thailand is intensifying efforts to promote its new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to attract foreign nationals who wish to work while travelling in the country, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Maris announced that the ministry is playing a significant role in promoting the DTV, which is anticipated to generate revenue for Thailand. He emphasised that…

  • TAGTHAi and Google Cloud to transform tourism in Thailand

    TAGTHAi and Google Cloud to transform tourism in Thailand

    TAGTHAi, Thailand’s official travel app, has partnered with Google Cloud to create a ground-breaking solution that simplifies travel for tourists. Their AI-driven feature, Design My Trip, promises to revolutionise how visitors experience Thailand. Thiratida Kuvantharai, CEO of TAGTHAi, revealed the cutting-edge technologies used to offer curated travel experiences tailored to each individual. “This aligns perfectly with the Tourism Authority of…

  • Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic

    Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic

    Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…

  • Royal Thai Navy rescues 143 tourists stranded on island off Phuket

    Royal Thai Navy rescues 143 tourists stranded on island off Phuket

    Sailors from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Third Area Command successfully rescued 143 tourists stranded on Racha Yai Island due to severe weather conditions and returned them safely to Phuket. Heavy rain and strong winds had created waves up to 4 metres high, making it impossible for tourist boats to reach the island, according to the Third Area Command based…

  • Pattaya Beach set to rock: Chon Buri music fest waves in the tunes

    Pattaya Beach set to rock: Chon Buri music fest waves in the tunes

    Pattaya Beach is about to be transformed into a musical paradise as the Chon Buri International Music Festival kicks off this weekend and continues the next. From 5pm to 11pm, Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, music lovers can revel in a beachfront bonanza of sound and spectacle. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Expect a star-studded lineup…

  • Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024

    Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024

    Capella Bangkok has taken the hospitality world by storm, claiming the coveted top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list. Leaping from No.11 in 2023 to No.1 this year, the hotel not only tops the global rankings but also secures the title of Best Hotel in Asia. Since its 2020 opening, the riverside retreat has charmed guests with…

  • TAT launches three-city roadshow in Indonesia

    TAT launches three-city roadshow in Indonesia

    Thailand is turning up the heat on its tourism campaign in Indonesia with an exciting new initiative. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is bringing its Amazing Thailand Road Show to Indonesia 2024 to three Indonesian cities (Medan, Jakarta, and Bali) in a bid to solidify its spot as the top holiday destination for Indonesian travellers. Kicking off tomorrow, September…

  • Phuket tourists engage in steamy street show on tuk tuk

    Phuket tourists engage in steamy street show on tuk tuk

    In a jaw-dropping scene that left locals stunned, two foreign couples were caught engaging in intimate acts aboard a tuk tuk near Phuket’s Patong Beach during a traffic jam caused by heavy rain. Despite the crowd of onlookers, the couples carried on brazenly, seemingly unfazed by the attention. The scandalous incident took place yesterday morning, September 17, when a 40-second…

  • Tourists urinate on Pattaya Beach, sparking local outrage

    Tourists urinate on Pattaya Beach, sparking local outrage

    Outrage erupted among Thai social media users after a video emerged showing male tourists urinating on Pattaya Beach. The video, shared by a Facebook user with the caption “Swimmers swim, and urinators urinate,” quickly went viral within a popular Pattaya Facebook group, which boasts over 200,000 members. The incident has sparked widespread anger, particularly among Pattaya locals, who questioned why…

  • Thailand’s new visa rules: Game-changer or red-tape?

    Thailand’s new visa rules: Game-changer or red-tape?

    Thailand’s Interior Ministry just dropped a bombshell with fresh guidelines for the much-hyped Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), now granting visa-exempt tourists a 60-day stay instead of the previous 30 days. The DTV has been heralded as a game-changer for remote workers, allowing them to work for overseas companies without the hassle of obtaining a local work permit. However, the ministry…

  • Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth

    Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth

    Thailand’s aviation sector is ready to soar, fuelled by a surge in air travel and jet fuel demand, according to Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). The refuelling giant, which serves Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, is seeing a bright future as the aviation industry bounces back from the pandemic slump. BAFS President ML Nathasit Diskul revealed the company’s expected…

  • Thailand to revive 300-baht tourism tax to boost revenue

    Thailand to revive 300-baht tourism tax to boost revenue

    Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong reignited plans for a 300-baht tourism tax, which was put on ice by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The move is set to help rake in a whopping 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year. Sorawong, who stepped into his role yesterday, September 16, believes the tax will be a game-changer for the industry. “This…

  • Phuket plans sustainable tourism overhaul to boost economy

    Phuket plans sustainable tourism overhaul to boost economy

    Phuket’s sustainable tourism took centre stage yesterday, September 15, as the House of Representatives Tourism Committee held a seminar to explore new directions for the island’s tourism sector and delve into the creative economy. The event, Transforming Phuket’s Future, was held at Dara Hotel and saw participation from significant figures in government, the private sector, and civil society. Phuket Vice…

  • Accor flies high: Premium brand expansion takes off in Thailand

    Accor flies high: Premium brand expansion takes off in Thailand

    Global hospitality titan Accor is firing on all cylinders as it accelerates the rollout of its premium brands in Thailand and across the globe. The move is fuelled by bullish forecasts for booming travel over the next decade, with the company setting its sights on high-potential markets such as India’s growing middle class and China’s robust outbound travel scene. Karelle…

  • Thailand’s ‘Wellness on a Plate’ campaign serves up health benefits

    Thailand’s ‘Wellness on a Plate’ campaign serves up health benefits

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is cooking up something special! In a bold move, the TAT has launched a dazzling new campaign titled Wellness on a Plate, spotlighting the health perks of Thailand’s eclectic culinary delights. Aiming to marry the nation’s rich food culture with wellness tourism, this initiative promises a feast for both the senses and the soul.…

  • Central Pattana invests 4.5 billion baht in Krabi development project

    Central Pattana invests 4.5 billion baht in Krabi development project

    Central Pattana Public Company Limited (CPN) is gearing up to shake up Krabi with a dazzling new mixed-use development, part of a massive 15 billion baht investment to turbocharge Thailand’s economy and tourism sector. The Central Krabi project, valued at a staggering 4.5 billion baht, will cover a sprawling 114 rai of land and promises to be a game changer.…

  • Thailand plans post-flood tourism campaigns for northern provinces

    Thailand plans post-flood tourism campaigns for northern provinces

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing tourism campaigns and promotions to aid affected provinces flooded in Thailand once the situation improves. Severe floods have ravaged 27 provinces, including key northern and central regions like Chiang Rai. These floods led to the cancellation of domestic flights to Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport yesterday afternoon. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool…

  • Phuket gears up for international tourism event

    Phuket gears up for international tourism event

    Phuket is readying itself for a monumental moment in global tourism. The Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Development of Phuket Province met yesterday, September 12, to fine-tune plans for the upcoming International Tourism Island City Conference (ITICC). The Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort will host this prestigious event from September 24 to 27, drawing industry heavyweights, experts,…

  • Thailand’s new tourism campaign to generate 800 million baht

    Thailand’s new tourism campaign to generate 800 million baht

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a new initiative to invigorate the country’s tourism sector with the Charming Thailand: 5 Regions event series. Announced by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, this campaign aims to highlight Thailand’s cultural heritage and modern attractions through a series of large-scale events, expected to draw over 147,000 visitors and generate more than 800 million baht…

  • World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show

    World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show

    Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards. The British media giant, known for its high standards, placed the luxurious Thai retreat at the top of its 2024 list, beating fierce global competition. This award comes after The Telegraph’s hotel and destination…

  • Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims

    Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims

    Silamanee Resort & Spa Hotel in Chiang Rai is offering free accommodation to flood victims. The ongoing flood situation in Mae Sai and Mueang districts has worsened, with continuous water inflow causing severe hardship for many residents, who are desperately awaiting assistance. Hotel Silamanee’s Facebook page recently posted an update. “Due to the flood situation in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,…