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.
-
Thailand puts brakes on 300 baht tourist fee
Thailand’s ambitious plans to rake in trillions from tourism are hitting turbulence, with officials now backpedalling on a controversial landing fee amid falling visitor numbers. Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed that the government is sticking to its 2025 target of 38 million tourist arrivals and 3 trillion baht in revenue – the same goal as this year. But…
-
Patong’s wave rave! Sirens to sound as tsunami drill hits beach strip
Tourists in bikinis and beach bums sipping cocktails in Patong got a surprise dose of civic duty this week, as town hall chiefs hit the streets to warn about a tsunami drill set to rock the resort next Tuesday. Mayor Lalita Maneesri led the charge on Monday, July 21, flanked by councillors, civil defence bosses and hi-vis-clad disaster response teams.…
-
Rushin’ back! Russian tourists flock to Thailand despite global turmoil
Russian tourists are packing their bags for Thailand in droves — and not even US sanctions, global instability, or stiff competition from Vietnam can stop them. Despite threats from US President Donald Trump to slap a 100% tariff on Russian goods unless peace is brokered in Ukraine, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says the Russian market is still on…
-
Cha-am forest park lands national camping award
Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park in Cha-am has officially earned its place among Thailand’s top nature escapes after receiving national certification under the Thailand Tourism Standard for the 2025 fiscal year. The award, handed out by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, celebrates parks that excel in safety, service quality, and site management for camping…
-
Thailand boosts economy with medical and wellness tourism focus
Thailand is exploring opportunities in the medical and wellness sectors to address domestic economic challenges, characterised by slow growth amid global uncertainties. The nation is focusing on medical and wellness tourism, medical manufacturing, and elderly care solutions to stimulate economic activity, according to Messe Düsseldorf Asia, an international trade organiser. These sectors are anticipated to grow the domestic market by…
-
Thai villages win big for green tourism push
Thailand’s grassroots tourism projects just bagged six major accolades from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), placing the kingdom firmly on the regional map for sustainable travel in 2025. Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan announced the big win yesterday, July 21, crediting the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) and its community network partners for putting Thailand’s local experiences…
-
Thailand targets 2.8 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2026
Thailand is chasing a high-stakes travel comeback — and it’s banking on quality over quantity to get there. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its bold vision for 2026: raking in a staggering 2.8 trillion baht in tourism revenue and breaking into the world’s top 10 countries for tourism income. It’s an ambitious leap — a 5% boost from…
-
Gale warning! Phuket reels as freak storm rocks island (video)
Phuket was left battered and on edge after a violent tropical storm tore across the island, killing one and injuring another, with officials warning the danger isn’t over yet. Governor Sophon Suwannarat urged residents, tourists and boat operators to stay on high alert after the Sunday downpour unleashed chaos across all three districts, Mueang, Thalang and Kathu, smashing into 17…
-
Holiday blues: Thailand tourism hits bump in the flight path
Thailand’s golden age of tourism seems a distant memory as the Land of Smiles battles to reclaim its pre-pandemic glory. While neighbours like Vietnam and Malaysia have soared past their 2019 highs, Thailand’s tourist engine has stalled and experts warn it might be years before the country climbs back into the global travel top tier. Thailand welcomed 35.5 million foreign…
-
4 Thai airports launch fast track for Chinese children and their families
The Immigration Bureau has introduced a fast track for Chinese children and their family members at four international airports in Thailand, aimed at visitors travelling during the Chinese school holiday. The bureau also plans to extend the service to young travellers from other countries soon. Immigration officials launched a campaign titled 暑假愉快通道 (shǔ jià yú kuài tú jìng), or Happy…
-
Maya Bay closes for conservation from August
Thailand’s famed Maya Bay is off-limits once again, as officials shut it down for two months to let nature breathe after another hectic High Season. The popular tourist magnet, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, will be closed along with neighbouring Loh Sama Bay from August 1 to September 30. The temporary closure, announced by the Department…
-
Kuwait ’til dark: Pattaya’s Middle Eastern night riders in firing line
Young Middle Eastern night riders brought late-night mayhem to a Pattaya street this week, sparking a bust-up that had locals fuming and cops revving into action. A confrontation between two gangs of Middle Eastern youths on Soi Yen Sabai on July 16 sent tempers flaring and engines roaring, as the summer influx of Kuwaiti college kids hit Pattaya’s streets with…
-
Thailand booms as Hat Yai steals budget travel spotlight
Thailand continues to attract record-breaking numbers of tourists in 2025, with Chinese, Malaysian, and South Korean travellers leading the way. Meanwhile, Hat Yai is gaining traction as one of Asia’s most affordable and exciting travel hotspots. Agoda, one of Asia’s top digital travel platforms, has released fresh data showing Thailand continues to dominate regional tourism in the first half of…
-
Pattaya cops rescue Russians with highway bike push
Two stranded Russian tourists were left stunned—and grateful—after a team of Pattaya police officers came to their rescue in one of the city’s more unusual displays of public service: pushing a broken-down motorbike through traffic with nothing but a boot and big hearts. The drama unfolded around 9.40am yesterday, July 16, when the couple’s motorbike battery unexpectedly died right in…
-
UAE island fever: Phuket and Madagascar top wishlist
Island fever is sweeping the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with travellers trading city breaks for sun-soaked escapes like Phuket. Expedia’s 2025 Island Hot List reveals a 30% global spike in demand for tropical getaways, and UAE holidaymakers are leading the charge, craving culture-packed, nature-filled trips that go beyond beach loungers and cocktails. According to Expedia’s latest insights, UAE travellers are…
-
Jellyfish helliday turns toxic as ‘floating terror’ hits Phuket beach
Tourists are being urged to look but not touch after a host of venomous sea creatures, including a notorious stinger dubbed the “floating terror,” washed up on a popular beach in Phuket. Marine life officials have sounded the alarm after several dangerous sea critters, including the venom-packed Portuguese man o’ war, were discovered on the sands of Kata Noi Beach…
-
Thailand anticipates record 2.4 million Indian tourists despite Air India crash
Indian arrivals to Thailand remain strong, despite a recent Air India aircraft accident, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasting a record 2.4 million arrivals from India this year. This resilience contrasts with a sluggish short-haul market trend. The TAT has announced that several airlines are interested in joining a forthcoming 750-million-baht flight stimulus programme. ASEAN Executive Director, Patsee…
-
Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists
Thailand is taking a bold leap to cash in on the crypto craze, with regulators unveiling plans to let foreign tourists spend their digital coins directly on everything from street food to luxury hotels. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), announced a groundbreaking crypto sandbox programme designed to boost tourism and inject…
-
Thai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash
Thailand’s flagship tourism stimulus project has spiralled into disarray, sparking fury among hotel operators and senators alike as delays drag on with no end in sight. The Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports is now demanding answers from Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong over the botched rollout of the much-touted Half-Half Thai Travel scheme. Senate Committee Chairperson Phisut Rattanawong…
-
Baht out of hell: British man in wheelchair fleeced by Pattaya babes
A disabled British tourist was left humiliated and penniless after three Pattaya Beach babes robbed him blind while he was in the shower, then vanished into the night. The victim, Chris John Glennon, who is speech-impaired and uses a wheelchair, told police he had invited two Thai women and a transgender woman back to his hotel after meeting them on Pattaya…
-
Gother’s travel takeover: Thai platform rockets 300% in 7 months
Thailand’s newest travel sensation is taking off at lightning speed. In just seven months, Gother has exploded with 300% business growth, setting its sights on becoming the country’s ultimate travel booking powerhouse. Gother, the rising star of Thailand’s travel tech scene, is making waves with astonishing momentum since its launch in early 2024. Operated by Search Engine Optimisation Co., Ltd.,…
-
Grid-lock and loaded: Phuket officials vow fix for ‘Kaew’ chaos
Phuket officials have finally drawn up a game plan to tackle the chronic congestion plaguing the Koh Kaew Intersection, a notorious choke point that’s long tested the patience of school-run parents and frazzled commuters. The bold new measures were hammered out at a meeting yesterday, July 14 at Phuket City Police Station, chaired by Police Colonel Chatree Chueakaew, chief of…
-
Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade
Phuket raked in nearly 3 billion baht during the four-day religious holiday but tourist numbers have taken a worrying dip, with Chinese arrivals more than halved and Middle Eastern travellers staying away. The Khao Phansa Buddhist holiday on July 10–11 gave locals a golden excuse for a long weekend, sending thousands of Thai tourists flocking to the island. Foreigners, meanwhile,…
-
Thai student numbers plummet in Korea as foreign arrivals surge
In a surprising twist to South Korea’s booming foreign arrivals, the number of Thai students and trainees has nosedived—raising eyebrows as other nationalities flock in record numbers. New figures from Statistics Korea have revealed that in 2024, only 21,000 Thai nationals entered South Korea on student and training visas, a steep 40% drop from the previous year. This decline bucks…
-
Booze ban barney: Phuket police defend dry crackdown on tipples
Phuket police have come under fire after swooping to shut down bars and restaurants mid-trade, claiming only venues with special service licences can sell alcohol during this week’s Buddhist holiday. The controversial clampdown came during Asarnha Bucha Day yesterday, July 10, and continues through tonight, July 11, for Khao Pansa, also known as Buddhist Lent. Officers in Rawai, Karon, and…
-
Half-Half travel scheme rebooted: Snag your subsidies fast
After days of online chaos, Thailand’s travel subsidies are finally back on track, with the Tourism Authority promising smooth sailing for millions hungry to snap up cut-price getaways. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced yesterday, July 10, that it has resolved technical glitches plaguing the online registration for the Half-Half Thai Travel programme, paving the way for registration to…
-
Phuket tourism boom: 223 billion baht from Russian, Chinese visitors
Phuket has emerged as a popular destination for Russian, Chinese, and Indian tourists in the first five months of this year, contributing approximately 223 billion baht in revenue, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Kamolphan Chalermsakulrat, deputy director of TAT Phuket, reported yesterday, July 9, that the island province received 5.85 million visitors between January and May, reflecting…
-
Thailand’s short-haul bookings dip, long-haul travel remains strong
Airlines reported that forward bookings for short-haul markets for the remainder of the year are weak, contrasting with the long-haul segment, while some carriers have shown interest in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) stimulus campaign. Deputy Governor of International Marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, said that tourism in the second half of the…
-
Manchester gets Thai’d up with new direct flight to Bangkok
Manchester Airport is flying high after bagging a brand-new direct route to Bangkok, making it the only airport outside London with a non-stop flight to the Thai capital. The weekly service, operated by Norse Atlantic Airways on a Boeing 787-9, will take off in November, offering northerners a hassle-free ticket to the most-visited city on the planet. Tickets have just…
-
Bangkok expressways free on July 10 and 11 for Buddhist holidays
Motorists in Bangkok will enjoy free access to major expressways for two days to mark the Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent holidays. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced toll exemptions on July 10 and 11, from midnight to midnight each day. Some 61 toll booths across the Chalerm Maha Nakhon, Si Rat, and Udon Ratthaya expressways will waive toll…
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.