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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Thailand sees 87% surge in hotel bookings this December
Thailand is gaining recognition as a premier travel destination, particularly during December, as indicated by recent statistics from SiteMinder, a renowned global hotel revenue management platform. This December has witnessed an impressive 87% in hotel bookings made by international tourists, marking an increase from last year’s 84% during the same period. Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachun highlighted the surge in…
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Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo
Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…
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Illegal foreign tour guides threaten Thailand’s tourism industry
The growing issue of illegal foreign tour guides in Thailand, exacerbated by extended visa-free stays and lax enforcement, is concerning industry experts. The Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand has raised alarms about foreigners illegally managing both tour companies and guide services in major tourist destinations. Recent social media reports highlighted an incident involving an unauthorised Russian guide leading a…
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Leopard sighting amazes tourists at Kaeng Krachan National Park
A rare sighting of a leopard calmly sitting on a road in Kaeng Krachan National Park left tourists in awe as the big cat appeared unbothered and at ease. The encounter, which occurred yesterday, December 19 at around 6.50am, was recounted by Mongkol Chaiphakdee, head of the national park located in Phetchaburi province. Kritsiphong Ngamjing, a tourist, was fortunate enough…
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Phu Kradueng reopens gates with new safety measures
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province is set to welcome visitors once again next Monday, December 23 following a tragic incident involving a wild elephant attack that led to its temporary closure. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the reopening, emphasising enhanced safety measures to ensure the well-being of tourists at this popular northeastern…
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Ministry and LINE MAN offer free delivery for Thai SELECT dining
The Ministry of Commerce has joined forces with food delivery app LINE MAN to launch a special promotion for Thai SELECT restaurants, offering free delivery from December 16 until January 31, 2025. The initiative, announced by Oramon Supthaweetham, Director General of the Department of Business Development, aims to boost awareness and encourage locals and tourists to explore Thai SELECT certified…
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Bangkok gets ready to get a taste of the Jurassic era
Bangkok’s iconic Asiatique night market is undergoing a jaw-dropping transformation. A massive 6,000-square-metre section of the bustling riverside hotspot will soon transport visitors back 145 million years to the Jurassic era, complete with roaring dinosaurs and thrilling attractions. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO of Asset World Corporation (AWC), revealed that The World’s Largest Immersive Experience of Its Kind will open by the second…
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Chinese tourists set to keep Thailand’s travel market cruising
The outlook for the Chinese inbound market to Thailand next year is expected to remain steady, with projected arrivals hovering between seven to eight million, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). This forecast arises amidst China’s persistent economic difficulties and the anticipated tariff hikes from the incoming Trump administration. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn expressed scepticism about Thailand…
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Thai and mighty: Tourism takes off with a Bangkok load of visitors
Thailand’s back on the world’s travel map with a record-breaking wave of tourists flooding its shores, boosting the nation’s coffers and setting sights on even sunnier outcomes. In a spectacular show of popularity, more than 37.72 million globe-trotters have flocked to the Land of Smiles between January 1 and December 8 this year, according to Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap. This…
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Beach wars: Kata’s shores overrun by chair chaos
Kata and Kata Noi beaches, once postcard-perfect stretches of Phuket paradise, are now under siege—by a sea of sunbeds and umbrellas. Locals are outraged as beach chair operators sprawl unchecked, with one resident calling Kata Beach “the world’s ugliest beach” and lamenting over 10,000 umbrellas crammed from the road to the waterline. The infamous “10% rule,” meant to cap commercial…
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Pattaya flower seller boosts sales in Santa suit
A flower garland seller in Pattaya has been spotted donning a Santa Claus outfit, capturing the curiosity and admiration of both tourists and locals. At around 12.30pm yesterday, December 12, the festive figure was seen under the motorway overpass on Sukhumvit Road, engaging with drivers who paused at the traffic lights. The flower vendor, 37 year old Kritsada Boonsopa, shared…
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Thailand claims best worldwide destination at Irish Travel Awards
Thailand has once again stolen the spotlight on the global tourism stage, clinching the prestigious Best Worldwide Destination title at the Irish Travel Trade Awards (ITTN Awards) 2024. The glittering ceremony, hosted by Irish Travel Trade News, unfolded on November 29 at Dublin’s Clayton Hotel, Burlington, with over 5,000 travel agents casting their votes for excellence in travel and tourism.…
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British swap gloom of Blighty for tropical Land of Smiles (video)
A recent survey has uncovered that thousands of British have swapped the cold, gloomy shores of Blighty in their thousands for the warm, welcoming, tropical beaches of Thailand. Financial technology company Wise reported that more than 40,000 British citizens have already set up camp and relocated to the exotic Land of Smiles. The Daily Mirror reported that British removal firm…
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Thai food for thought: Restaurant sector set for festive tourism feast
The Thai restaurant sector is set to experience a significant boost during the new year festive season, largely driven by an increase in holiday travel and tourism. Despite this optimistic outlook, the Thai Restaurant Association expressed concerns regarding a potential decline in total spending on food and beverages due to weakened purchasing power and the concentration of activities in popular…
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Airline industry poised to surpass US$1 trillion despite delays
The global airline industry anticipates surpassing US$1 trillion in revenue due to record passenger numbers, despite facing significant challenges in acquiring new aircraft, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Issues with Boeing and Airbus have caused delivery delays, impeding airlines‘ ability to upgrade their fleets with more efficient planes that could reduce fuel expenses while accommodating increased passenger…
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Thailand targets luxury and niche tourism for growth boost
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting its sights on four niche tourism markets for the upcoming year: wellness, luxury experiences, sports tourism, and honeymoons. This strategic focus aims to tap into the burgeoning trend of high-spending and luxury tourism, with the agency planning to introduce exclusive events across the country. According to Chiravadee Khunsub, the Deputy Governor for…
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Thailand aims for 3.4 trillion baht tourism revenue by 2025
Thailand is setting its sights on a tourism boom with a newly launched strategy aimed at bolstering both international and domestic travel. With the tourism sector generating a substantial 1.892 trillion baht (US$56 billion) in 2023, the government is now targeting an impressive 3.4 trillion baht (US$100 billion) in revenues by 2025, aspiring to welcome over 40 million international visitors.…
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Hong Kong hotel bills pile up: Tourism takes a hit amid dollar drama
As Hong Kong’s hospitality sector braces for the new year, a perfect storm of challenges threatens to sour the city’s tourist appeal. With a new lodging tax set to dent visitors’ wallets and geopolitical tensions on the rise, thanks to Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency, the city’s once-thriving tourist industry could face an uphill battle. From January, a 3% hotel guest…
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British man’s Thai-high trip goes up in smoke at Manchester customs
Another British man has been nabbed in a high-stakes arrest after being caught returning through Manchester Airport customs with two suitcases full of cannabis from Thailand. The alleged British drug mule, Ahmed Sohail, who claimed he went to Thailand to lose some weight, ended up losing much more than he bargained for. Stopped by eagle-eyed Border Force officials, the 26…
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Naked Russian man rescued by speedboat hero near Pattaya
A naked and exhausted Russian man was dramatically rescued by a heroic speedboat driver headed to Koh Lan off the coast of Pattaya. The incident, which unfolded about six kilometres from Pattaya, grabbed headlines due to the man’s dire predicament. Pracharat Satsuk, a 34 year old speedboat operator, revealed how he stumbled upon the struggling swimmer during his regular route,…
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Bangkok named world’s most visited city with 32.4m tourists
Bangkok has been named the world’s most-visited city for 2024, welcoming an impressive 32.4 million international tourists. This announcement was made in a report by Euromonitor International yesterday, December 6. The Thai capital experienced a significant growth of over 30% from the previous year, solidifying its status as a leader in global tourism. The city’s allure is attributed to its…
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Phuket and the Netherlands strengthen ties over tourism and traffic
H.E. Remco van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Thailand, met with Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai at Phuket Provincial Hall, alongside Sven Smolders, Honorary Consul for the Netherlands in southern Thailand. The gathering highlighted a shared commitment to bolstering ties through tourism, infrastructure development, and citizen welfare. With 500 Dutch nationals residing in Phuket and over 250,000 Dutch tourists…
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Phuket Red Cross urges blood donations as tourist season begins
The Phuket branch of the Red Cross Society and Vachira Phuket Hospital have made an urgent appeal for blood donations, particularly as the tourist High Season begins. With the approach of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, which is also observed as Thailand National Day and Father’s Day, special blood donation events are planned for tomorrow, December 5. This date holds significant…
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Cobra causes hiss-teria at Kata Beach in Phuket (video)
Tourists at Kata Beach in Phuket were startled when a cobra was spotted swimming near the shore, leading to a chaotic yet successful capture. The incident, which occurred yesterday, December 3, was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, causing quite a stir. The video shows tourists at Kata Beach, located on the western side of Phuket Island,…
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Trolley folly: Tipsy tourists’ wild hotel ride in Koh Phi Phi (video)
In the latest wild escapade from the sun-soaked shores of Thailand, two young female tourists were given a ride of shame as local police were forced to wheel them back to their hotel on a shop trolley. In a scene right out of a holiday nightmare, 19 year old Australian Tahli Benson and 23 year old German Sina Baumann found…
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7-Eleven joins road safety battle for tourists in Thailand
In a groundbreaking move to tackle tourist road accidents in Thailand, 7-Eleven is stepping up its game. Yesterday, December 2, CP All CEO Yuthasak Poomsurakul announced a partnership between 7-Eleven, the Tourist Police Bureau, and the British Embassy to launch a road safety campaign aimed at international visitors. Tourists, often unaware of Thailand’s traffic laws and risky road conditions, face…
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UAE and Thailand bilateral agreements to boost trade and travel
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Thailand are poised to deepen their partnership through a series of bilateral agreements, according to UAE ambassador to Thailand Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri. Speaking at a UAE National Day celebration on Thursday, November 28, Aldhaheri underscored Thailand’s importance as a strategic partner beyond traditional oil trade. “We look forward to strengthening bilateral relations…
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German punch: Israeli soldier’s Thai holiday takes a hit
A 22 year old Israeli soldier was allegedly assaulted by a group of German tourists while on a trip in Thailand after the group took exception to his involvement in his nation’s military operations in Gaza. According to PressTV, the Israeli soldier, Ilay, found himself on the wrong side of an altercation in northern Thailand as he walked past four…
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Phuket parade: Carnival rolls out beach carpet for tourists (video)
Phuket is gearing up to roll out the red carpet for tourists worldwide with the eagerly anticipated Phuket Carnival at Patong 2024. This annual spectacle, a hallmark of the island’s high tourist season, promises to be bigger and better than ever with its theme, Phuket Memories of a Lifetime. Taking place from December 8 to 10 at the bustling Bang…
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Australian ambassador visits Phuket to discuss tourist safety
Australian Ambassador to Thailand Angela McDonald visited Phuket on Thursday, November 28, to engage in discussions with Vice Governor Ronnarong Thipsiri. The meeting focused on strengthening economic, political, and safety ties between Australia and Phuket, underscoring the importance of maintaining robust bilateral relations. During the meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Governor’s Reception Room, McDonald, along with key officials, explored…
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