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 Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
-
Phuket feasts: Peranakan flavours go global at culinary festival
Phuket hosted the Phuket Peranakan Menu to the World festival yesterday, featuring more than 50 booths serving traditional Peranakan dishes. This event, part of the World of Peranakan Food Art Exhibition & Festival 2024, aims to bolster local tourism and achieve recognition in the Guinness World Records. An official report highlighted the festival’s role in boosting the local economy by…
-
Thai Airways partners with Gulf Air, adding six new destinations
Thai Airways International (THAI) anticipates a boost in revenue following the enhancement of its code-sharing agreement with Gulf Air. THAI announced the expansion of its partnership with Gulf Air yesterday, September 29, to include new destinations: Cairo, Kuwait City, Amman, Casablanca, Athens, and Manchester. This agreement took effect immediately. Previously, the collaboration between the two airlines was limited to routes…
-
Thailand’s local businesses get a global boost: It’s time to trade up
Strengthening Thailand’s local businesses to compete on the global stage could be a game-changing strategy for revitalising the national economy, according to Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput. Sethaput is advocating for the implementation of “globally competitive localism,” a concept that leverages the strengths of local entrepreneurs, such as cultural assets, to create value-added products and services. This, he believes,…
-
Phuket’s waste crisis worsens with tourist surge
Phuket grapples with a mounting waste crisis as tourism surges post-pandemic. The island’s waste disposal plant now receives 1,100 tonnes of garbage daily, a significant rise from 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes last year, according to deputy governor Norasak Suksomboon. Norasak highlighted these challenges at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, where 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers…
-
Flooding devastates Chiang Mai tourism, occupancy drops to 50%
Flooding in northern Thailand has severely impacted tourism in Chiang Mai, with many visitors cancelling their plans, according to the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai. The Ping River recently reached its highest levels since 2011, causing significant flooding in Mueang Chiang Mai, including its key business and tourism districts. Outer districts, such as Mae Rim, known for its natural parks…
-
Phuket police cracks down on noisy bikes and rowdy teens
Phuket Provincial Police have ramped up efforts to tackle the nuisance of roaring motorbikes and unruly teens as the island gears up for the famous Vegetarian Festival and the peak tourist season. At a press conference held at Phuket City Police Station, Region 8 Police Commander Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomchit announced the ongoing campaign, spearheaded by Phuket Provincial Police…
-
Thailand’s top hotels get the Michelin treatment
The Michelin Guide has just upped the ante in Thailand’s luxury hotel game, unveiling the first-ever “Key” ratings for 58 of the country’s most outstanding hotels. If you thought Michelin was all about fine dining, think again. Now, the world-renowned guide is here to tell you where to stay too. After four years of revamping its hotel selection process, Michelin…
-
Golden weak: Chinese tourists to Thailand dip as baht bites
Chinese tourist numbers during the upcoming Golden Week holiday are anticipated to be lower than expected, influenced by a strong baht and China’s sluggish economy, which are limiting tourist spending. This trend is also prompting other international visitors to negotiate lower service prices. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation President, highlighted concerns about the appreciating baht’s adverse…
-
Pattaya: Bali Hai Pier walkway roof finally taking shape
Pattaya’s ambitious project to build a 310-metre roof over the Bali Hai Pier walkway is finally approaching completion but not without drama. Initially set to finish in March, the 8.8-million-baht project hit a series of delays, leading to hefty fines for the contractor. The roof, designed to protect residents and tourists from the relentless sun and sudden downpours, has been…
-
Phuket’s tourism boom set to break records this year
After a rocky few years post-Covid, Phuket is poised to smash its highest-ever revenue records in 2024, even if tourist numbers don’t quite hit pre-pandemic levels. Longer stays, higher spending and a shift in visitor profiles are key to this tourism boom, according to Rangsiman Kingkaew, Vice President of Strategy and Planning at the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA). Speaking at…
-
93 countries including Singapore will require ETA for Thai entry
Soon, Singaporeans and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before their trip to the Land of Smiles. Reports suggest a pilot programme might kick off in December, with full implementation expected by June 2025. However, The Straits Times has learned that the exact launch date is still up in the…
-
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…
-
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
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,…
-
Pattaya vows to fast-track construction in Chon Buri: Public outcry
Fed-up locals and tourists have finally had enough. Complaints have been pouring in over the ongoing roadworks near Wat Mai Samraan and Tawaen Beach Pier, prompting city officials to spring into action. With mounting frustration, city bosses have now cracked the whip on the sluggish construction project, demanding faster progress. Officials have ordered contractors to ramp up their workforce and…
-
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…
-
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 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…
-
Thai hotels back new co-payment scheme amid fraud cases
Hotel operators in Thailand have embraced a proposal to revive the co-payment scheme for hotel expenses, viewing it as a potential boost for domestic spending. However, concerns have been raised regarding 1,400 unresolved fraud cases from the scheme’s previous phases. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong discussed the matter with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who agreed in principle to reintroduce…
-
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…
-
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
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…
-
Pathum Thani to host food festival to boost tourism
Pathum Thani will host the Amazing Pathum Thani Food Festival, highlighting the region’s culinary creativity to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy. The event will take place from September 25 to 29, featuring unique food and cultural activities. The press conference for the festival was held yesterday, September 18, at Tinidee Hotel Bangkok Golf Club in Pathum Thani. Pathum…
-
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…
-
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
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…
-
Thailand launches halal app to boost Muslim tourism
Muslim tourists in Thailand can now explore the country without a hitch, thanks to the newly launched Halal Route app. Developed by the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, this game-changing app offers a comprehensive guide to halal-friendly restaurants, hotels, mosques, and even prayer locations. As Islamic tourism booms globally, with a predicted 168 million Muslim tourists this year, Thailand…
-
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…
-
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
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…
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.