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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With World Kindness Day just two days away on November 13, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how empathy and care can make a real impact, not just in our relationships but in our health, too. This day is...
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Combined tour packages: Thai proposal for Chinese tourists
Chinese tourists are the target of a new strategy suggested by Thai tourism operators, who propose selling combined tour packages to Thailand and Malaysia. This proposal comes in light of China granting visa exemptions to visitors from Malaysia and several European countries, but not Thailand. Songchai Mungprasithichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, believes that since Hat Yai Airport…
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Doubts over Thai target of 8.2 million Chinese visitors in 2024
Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year. This comes as predictions for overall foreign arrivals next year have been downscaled, amidst concerns over a sluggish global economy. Kasem Prunratanamala, who leads research at CGS-CIMB Securities in Thailand, stated that while the firm has kept its estimation…
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Thai Airways takes a smile: Reinstates nine cool-season routes for domestic delight
Thai Airways International reinstated nine domestic routes for the cool season, previously provided by its former affiliate, Thai Smile Airways. The services, which will run until March 30, utilise the Airbus A320 planes from the airline’s former subsidiary, Thai Smile. The re-established routes offer daily flights from Bangkok to nine destinations – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen,…
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Thai nightlife gets a glow-up: Cabinet green-lights 4am extended hours for tourist hotspots
The Thai Cabinet has given the green light to a draft regulation set forth by the Interior Ministry, permitting extended hours until 4am at entertainment venues in prominent tourist hotspots. The affected areas include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Aiming to stimulate the country’s tourism sector, the Interior Ministry is at the helm of this initiative.…
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Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine
Tourists flocked to Wat Kham Chanot Wang Nakee coinciding with the revered day of the full moon and the traditional Loy Krathong Festival on November 27. The shrine, located in Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, is dedicated to Nakee Island’s spiritual guardians, Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Ya Sri Pathum. The shrine’s spiritual significance attracted a vast…
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Escape to Thailand’s best-kept secret: Mae Chaem, a hidden paradise of culture, tranquillity, and starlit nights
In the heart of northern Thailand lies a hidden gem, away from the tourist throngs that swarm popular destinations. Mae Chaem, nestled on the flank of Doi Inthanon mountain, beckons discerning travellers seeking respite from the usual hustle and bustle. As you wind through lush greenery and scenic landscapes, Mae Chaem unfolds like a dream. The journey itself, a four-hour…
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Chinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights
Major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, slam the brakes on flights for December and January. Several Chinese airlines, notably Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, sent shockwaves through the travel industry by cancelling flights to Thailand for December and January. The root cause? A plunge in bookings mirrors China’s economic downturn and a…
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Surin Beach sunbeds mysteriously vanish, sparking tourist speculation in Phuket
A sudden and unexplained removal of sunbeds from the popular Surin Beach in Phuket has left tourists and locals alike perplexed. The event occurred last week, with only one operator, the Surin Beach Club, left unaffected, leading to a surge in inquiries and speculation. The mystery deepens as the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (Cherng Talay OrBorTor), the local government…
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Thailand tourism suffers as Chinese visitor target falls short
Thailand‘s anticipated tally of Chinese visitors for this year has been downgraded to between 3.4 million and 3.5 million, falling short of the target set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This comes despite the implementation of a visa-free scheme aimed at luring Chinese tourists. Before the pandemic wreaked havoc in 2019, China played a pivotal role in Thailand’s…
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Thai tourists injured in bus crash in Turkey’s Denizli province
A tour bus carrying 26 Thai tourists crashed into a roadside signboard in Denizli, Turkey, resulting in injuries to all onboard. Four of the tourists were critically injured, while the remaining 22 suffered other injuries. The accident took place yesterday (November 23) while the tourists, travelling with the Doraku Tours company, were exploring the popular tourist province. The injured tourists…
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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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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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Bangkok ranked 9th in 2023 best cities for expats, down from 6th last year
One of the globe’s leading expat networking and guide websites ranked the Big Mango, Bangkok, as the 9th best city to live and visit for expats in 2023. The ranking is down from last year when Bangkok was ranked 6th. InterNations said it conducted an online survey from February 1 to 28 this year, with 12,065 expats from 172 countries…
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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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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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Thailand’s festive frenzy: Airbnb searches soar by 17% as global travellers flock to the Land of Smiles
Tourists are flocking to Airbnb in search of the ultimate Thailand experience during the upcoming Loy Krathong festival, set to light up the local waters on November 27 and 28. Data reveals a staggering 17% spike in searches for Airbnb stays, unveiling Thailand as the go-to destination for the festive season. Thailand’s capital Bangkok steals the spotlight as the most…
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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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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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Thailand PM temps European tourists with longer visa incentive
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is making bold moves to boost the nation’s economy by unveiling plans to waive visa requirements for European tourists. Thailand also plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles by lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events, to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. The Bangkok-born Thailand PM sees tourism…
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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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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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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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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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