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.
-
Sponsored Why 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making
Phuket’s residential real estate market is no longer defined only by beachfront villas and short-stay resort condominiums. The island is now seeing sustained interest from international investors targeting long-term yields, capital stability, and access to full-scale lifestyle infrastructure. Looking at...
-
Thailand considers scrapping arrival cards for Malaysian tourists
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced today the potential removal of the necessity for Malaysian tourists to complete arrival and departure cards at primary border crossings, aimed at promoting tourism and business growth. Currently, all visitors arriving via the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, regardless of nationality, are waived from the requirement to fill out the Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) cards.…
-
Belarusian tourist lost in Phuket jungle found unharmed
A Belarusian tourist, who had got lost while on a jungle trek in the Layan area of Phuket, was found safe and sound. Phuket Tourist Police confirmed the news this morning, stating that the man emerged from the ordeal unharmed. The individual, whose name was not disclosed in the police report, arrived in Thailand on February 18. He initially spent…
-
Thai cop spills beans on bid to hush British backpacker’s drugs dealing bust (video)
An unnamed Thai police officer revealed that his superiors attempted to suppress a story about the arrest of a British backpacker for selling Category 1 drugs on a notorious island in Thailand. Andrew Brett was arrested on Thursday, February 29, for allegedly selling ecstasy and LSD to other foreign tourists at the Ecco Bar on Koh Tao island in the…
-
OAG rules in favor of DNP in Nang Rong waterfall tourism dispute
A recent ruling by a committee from the Office of Attorney-General (OAG) has settled a long-standing dispute between the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). The contention revolved around the 12-rai Nang Rong waterfall tourism compound located within the Khao Yai National Park. The OAG’s verdict favours the DNP,…
-
Pattaya introduces safe swimming zones at popular Tawaen beach
The thriving beachfront city of Pattaya, known for its bustling tourism scene, has recently taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety of beachgoers. The authorities of Pattaya City have put measures in place to establish dedicated swimming zones at Tawaen Beach, an immensely popular spot located on the island of Koh Larn. These zones are expected to cater to…
-
Thailand’s aviation hub plans receive airline approval
The Thai government’s initiative to transform the country into an aviation and logistics hub has been met with approval from airlines. However, concerns regarding congestion at major airports and the significant investment required to accommodate increasing demand persist. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently unveiled plans to capitalise on Thailand’s strategic location in Southeast Asia to attract more international airlines to…
-
Thailand’s tourism ministry plans to become global hub by 2030
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Thailand is gearing up to host a workshop aimed at transforming the country into a global tourism hub by 2030. Both public and private sectors are invited to participate in the workshop, scheduled for mid-March, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expected to present comprehensive strategic plans. Thailand’s vision to ignite its global standing…
-
AirAsia launches Takeover Thailand campaign with celeb partner
AirAsia is doubling down on its commitment to boost regional tourism, unveiling the Takeover Thailand campaign, aimed at thrusting Thailand into the spotlight as the go-to destination for travellers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Strategically aligning forces with Tay Tawan, a distinguished Thai personality appointed as AirAsia’s Route Presenter for Malaysia, the airline is geared up to elevate the travel…
-
Surging Pattaya hotel occupancy shows post-pandemic recovery
Pattaya is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with hotels bursting at the seams, boasting over 90% room occupancy. Sanphet Supabawornsathien, Eastern Thai Hotel Association President, reveals that Pattaya’s hotel industry is booming, with room occupancy rates soaring above 90% as tourists from China, Russia, and India flood the city alongside a surge in domestic travel. This remarkable trend is fuelled by…
-
AWC plans 36 billion baht investment in high-end tourism
Asset World Corp (AWC), a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, maintains a positive outlook on high-spending tourists and outlined plans to invest in projects estimated at 36 billion baht (US$1 billion) this year. Wallapa Traisorat, AWC’s chief executive and president, highlighted Thailand’s potential to attract high-spending tourists from regional competitors through quality property development, specifically hotels in partnership with…
-
Thai govt’s plan to transform southern provinces into tourist hub
The Thai government has committed to transforming the country’s three southernmost provinces into global tourist attractions and increasing investment in this region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave this assurance during a three-day visit to Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala which concluded yesterday. According to the 62 year old Thai prime minister, the southernmost provinces possess the potential to rise as the…
-
Tuk tuks and taxis: Bangkok’s solution to overcharging crisis
In a move to safeguard tourists’ wallets, Bangkok unveils an arsenal of measures to tackle the notorious tuk tuk and taxi overcharging crisis. Amidst a flurry of concerns raised over the fleecing of foreign tourists by tuk tuk and taxi drivers, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken a decisive stand. Permanent Secretary Wanthanee Wattana spearheaded this pivotal moment following…
-
PM Srettha’s surprise visit to Yala province sparks tourist frenzy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, flanked by a cadre of ministers, paid a surprise visit to Yala Province yesterday, igniting a blaze of excitement aimed at boosting the region’s tourism. This high-stakes visit, part of an expansive tour spanning Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, aims to catapult Yala’s tourism sector into the stratosphere, setting a bold target of 2 million visitors, both…
-
Thailand’s tusker turnaround: TAT teams up with WWF for elephant-friendly travels
In a bid to promote responsible tourism and protect Thai elephants, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to pledge unwavering support to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Thailand and its Travel Ivory Free initiative. This collaborative effort aims to combat the illegal ivory market by encouraging travellers to refrain from purchasing ivory items during their visits. Recently,…
-
Indonesian tourist’s false Thai honeymoon drama debunked
A viral clip of an Indonesian woman‘s outcry on social media, claiming her honeymoon trip to Thailand collapsed because her husband was denied entry for not carrying cash, sparked significant attention. However, Thai immigration authorities have debunked the story as a fabrication for content creation, further uncovering that the woman is a frequent traveller to Thailand and an online merchant.…
-
Thailand’s tourism industry calls for eased travel restrictions
Faced with intense competition from fellow Southeast Asian countries, Thailand’s tourism industry called on the government to ease travel restrictions and promote cross-border travel. The appeal comes as Malaysia is seen to be catching up with Thailand’s tourism numbers. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a tour of three southern provinces to boost both trade and tourism.…
-
AOT and immigration unite to tackle Suvarnabhumi Airport queues
Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Immigration Division 2 are joining hands to tackle a pressing issue at Suvarnabhumi Airport: inordinately long passenger queues. The urgency to address this problem was triggered by the concerns raised by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin about the prolonged processing times at the airport. AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat and Immigration Division 2’s Police Major General Choengron…
-
PM Srettha urges action to ease traffic delays on Rama II highway
In response to mounting social media uproar over the Rama II highway’s perpetual construction nightmares, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a directive to the Transport Ministry to solve traffic congestion before the impending Songkran holiday frenzy. Connecting nearby Hua Hin to the capital, the route is essential for those planning to travel to the seaside resort from Bangkok. The 62…
-
Centel posts impressive Q4 results with 9% revenue increase
Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel), known for operating Centara Hotels and Resorts, posted an impressive financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2023, with a total revenue of 6.02 billion baht marking a 9% increase year-on-year. The company’s yearly revenue for 2023 was also positive, amounting to 22.5 billion baht. This represented a significant growth of 24% or a revenue…
-
Dusit Thani Bangkok set for grand revival in 2024
Dusit Hotels and Resorts unveiled its intention to resurrect Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel, with a projected reopening in September 2024. This new establishment will occupy the same prestigious location as its predecessor, a landmark in the Bangkok skyline from 1970 to 2019. Suphajee Suthumpun, the group chief executive of Dusit International, expressed that this new venture is a symbol of…
-
Chinese economic stimulus to boost Thai tourism and economy
Analysts predict that China’s economic stimulus measures will spur an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, potentially driving the Thai economy to achieve a growth rate of at least 3% this year. This is due to the expectation that Beijing’s financial initiatives will simultaneously boost the economies of both nations. Asia Plus Securities (APS) highlighted that China has rolled out…
-
Thai-Chinese high-speed train project faces delay and extra costs
The Thai-Chinese high-speed train project is set to experience a delay of approximately two years, alongside an additional funding requirement of around 4 billion baht (US$111 million). This arises from a proposed track modification in Nakhon Ratchasima, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The State Railway of Thailand Governor, Nirut Maneephan, disclosed that this change involves contracts numbered…
-
Thailand explores long-term visa-free scheme with India
Tourism authorities in Thailand are pushing for a long-term reciprocal visa-free scheme with India, projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. Somsong Sachaphimukh, the vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, highlighted the positive impact of the current temporary visa exemption for India, which has accelerated the Indian market’s growth. As of February 18, the Indian market…
-
Power bank explosion sparks panic on Thai AirAsia flight
An explosion of a power bank on a Thai AirAsia flight destined for Nakhon Si Thammarat sparked alarm on a recent Saturday morning. Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister, who was among the 186 passengers on the flight, witnessed the incident that filled the cabin with smoke. The crew, however, managed to extinguish the fire within two minutes, enabling the flight…
-
Krabi national park makes astonishing revenue in tourism boom
In less than four months, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi has become a gold mine, pulling in nearly 300,000,000 baht in entry fees from over 126,000 tourists. This meteoric rise in revenue dwarfs the previous fiscal year’s earnings, ringing in at 276 million baht. National park chief Yutthaphong Damsrisuk noted that the park has witnessed…
-
Indonesian Embassy’s cash reminder for entry into Thailand
The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok issued a reminder to citizens planning a trip to Thailand to arm themselves with a substantial amount of cash to avoid the risk of being denied entry. Minister Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, Dewi Lestari, revealed Thailand’s stringent entry requirements in an exclusive interview with the Indonesian network RRI. Lestari clarified that regardless…
-
Thai Airways records recovery with US$782 million profit in 2023
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited witnessed a significant rebound in its earnings following an increase in air travel demand. The airline reported a net profit of 28.1 billion baht (US$782 million) in 2023, a substantial recovery from the 272-million-baht loss experienced in the previous year. This is the second-highest annual net income recorded by the company, surpassed only by…
-
Visa-free travel to Thailand for more international tourists
In a bid to revitalise its tourism sector, the Thai government has significantly eased visa restrictions for millions more international tourists. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared that Thai tourism has entered a new era of inclusivity, outlining the remarkable transformations underway. Previously confined to conventional markets like the European Union, the UK, the US, and Australia, visa-exempt travel has now expanded…
-
British tourist injured in money dispute with Thai ladyboys in Phuket (video)
Early morning in Karon, Phuket, saw a British tourist sustain a knife injury following a dispute over money with three local ladyboys in his condominium, located near the base of Kata Hill. The incident was reported at 4am to Police Lieutenant Surasak Sudmuang of the Karon Police, who promptly arrived at the scene with his team to initiate an investigation.…
-
PM Srettha unveils economic vision focusing on tourism and booze
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled his comprehensive vision for Thailand’s economic boom, focusing on tourism enhancement and the liberalisation of alcohol consumption at internationally renowned concerts. Speaking at the Thailand Vision gathering at Government House, PM Srettha’s address, which was broadcast live on NBT television, presented his ambitious strategies to foster economic growth. Tourism is at the core of his economic…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.