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.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thai rice enthusiasts in US could win a trip to Thailand
The Thai Trade Centre in New York launched a tantalising campaign, Love Thai Food, Eat Thai Rice, inviting food lovers across the United States to share their passion for Thai food on social media. The prize of a trip to Thailand worth up to US$5,000 (around 180,000 baht) is up for grabs. Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Director of the Thai Trade Centre,…
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Japanese tourists to flock to Thailand despite economic woes
To revive tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled dynamic strategies to draw Japanese tourists back to the Land of Smiles. Despite the yen’s depreciation, TAT Tokyo Office Director Kajorndet Apichartrakul remains optimistic about reversing the deficit in tourist numbers with Japan. Last year, 995,000 Thai tourists visited Japan, while only 804,000 Japanese tourists came to Thailand, resulting in…
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Tourism Ministry reinstates guarantee for outbound tour operators
Thai travellers faced significant setbacks after some licenced outbound tour operators left them stranded despite purchasing premium packages. In response, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is now seeking enhanced consumer protection measures. The Tourism Department, under the ministry’s supervision, plans to reinstate the guarantee amount for licenced outbound tour companies to 200,000 baht next year. This comes after a pandemic-era…
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No plastics allowed: Koh Nang Yuan protects coral reefs
Visitors to the stunning island of Koh Nang Yuan in southern Thailand are facing a surprising restriction: no plastic items or styrofoam boxes are allowed. Koh Nang Yuan, renowned for its three interconnected islets with pristine white sands, has long upheld a strict no-plastic policy. This rule extends to the thousands of tourists who flock to its shores each day,…
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Phuket to become Asia’s wellness tourism hub with health expo
Phuket is set to make waves in the wellness tourism industry with the launch of the Phuket Health Expo later this month. Provincial officials, led by Governor Sophon Suwannarat, announced the event during a press conference at the Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, July 9. The expo, scheduled for July 24 to 28 at Central Festival Phuket, aims to catapult the…
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New bus routes from Phuket Airport to major tourist hotspots
A new agreement between Airports of Thailand (AoT) and state-run bus operator The Transport Co, better known by its Thai initials BorKorSor (บขส), will introduce new bus services from Phuket International Airport before the year ends. BorKorSor Acting President, Atthawit Rakjamroon, announced yesterday, July 9, that this initiative will see buses operating directly from three key airports managed by AoT:…
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TAT’s gastronomic extravaganza set to sizzle
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out the Amazing Food Festival 2024 to showcase the diversity of Thai cuisine and cement Thailand’s reputation as a world-class destination for gastronomy tourism. Following a successful event in Phuket on July 5 to 7, the festival is gearing up for its next instalments in Chiang Mai from July 20 to 22 and…
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Survey reveals Chinese tourists’ spending habits in Thailand
The majority of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the second quarter of this year were lured by the country’s delectable cuisine and exotic fruits, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand. The Council’s report, published last Thursday, July 4, surveyed 205 Chinese nationals. The participants included 44% from Mainland China, 24% from Hong Kong, 18% from Taiwan, and 14% from…
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Thailand on track to upgrade third-class trains with air-con & seats
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to improve the service and facilities of its third-class trains by spending 780 million baht on new seats and air conditioning. For the first phase, 130 third-class carriages will be equipped with air conditioning by next year. The Deputy Minister of Transport, Surapong Piyachote, told DailyNews that the SRT is now seeking operators…
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TAT unveils Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled the Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2024, designed to draw international tourists to Thailand and encourage spending at prominent shopping venues such as King Power Duty-Free, Siam Paragon, Emporium, EmQuartier, Emsphere, Icon Siam, and Gaysorn. The effort comes as Thailand experiences a significant surge in tourism, welcoming over 14 million visitors in the first…
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Thailand aims for 3.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue by 2025
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) plans to achieve 7.5% revenue growth or 3.4 trillion baht in 2025, while private operators advocate for airfare subsidies to boost income, to mark the upcoming year as Thailand Grand Tourism Year. During the TAT Action Plan 2025 meeting yesterday, July 8, Chairman Natthriya Thaweevong announced that the government aims to mark 2025 as the Thailand…
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Thailand ranks 32nd globally for Muslim travel
Thailand secured the 32nd spot globally among popular destinations for Muslim travellers, as revealed in the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024. The Thai Prime Minister’s Office, through its spokesperson Chai Watcharong, highlighted this achievement, noting that Thailand also ranks 5th among non-Muslim countries (Non-OIC) in the same index. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is leveraging this accomplishment to…
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Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Pattaya police investigate foreigner’s claim of 20,000-baht slot win
A foreign man recently stirred controversy among the Pattaya community by claiming a 20,000-baht win from an online slot machine in a Facebook post. His boastful remarks quickly caught the attention of netizens and local police. The incident occurred when the foreigner posted in the Facebook group Pattaya, Thailand on July 3. “It’s good to play slot machines and win…
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Koh Samui looks for extended airport hours amid tourism surge
Tourism operators in Koh Samui are anticipating a surge in European visitors as the high season for the Gulf of Thailand approaches, advocating for extended operating hours at Samui airport to accommodate 20 additional daily flights, potentially boosting tourist numbers by 10 to 20%. President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, highlighted expectations for a complete recovery…
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Chaos in Pattaya: Motorbike taxi drivers tarnish tourist hotspot
Pattaya City and Banglamung district officials are grappling with a surge in incidents involving motorcycle taxi drivers, jeopardising the area’s status as a top tourist destination. Disturbing reports have surfaced, highlighting assaults on foreign tourists and harassment of individuals mistaken for ride-hailing service drivers. These altercations have frequently escalated into heated verbal confrontations and even physical violence. In response to…
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Only 57% of Thais to holiday at home this quarter
A recent survey reveals a dramatic decline in domestic travel plans among Thais, with only 57% intending to holiday within the country in the third quarter of this year. This is a significant drop from 64% in the second quarter and a steep decline from 74% in the first quarter. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) surveyed 450 Thai nationals,…
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High spirits: Thai airports toast Buddhist holidays with alcohol sales
The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, yesterday convened its third meeting of 2024 at the Parliament Building, to discuss the recent decision to allow alcohol sales in Thailand’s six major airports on Buddhist holidays. The meeting saw the attendance of many key officials, including Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr…
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Thailand’s airports hit new highs as passenger numbers increase
Thailand’s six international airports, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), witnessed a record-breaking influx of passengers in the first five months of 2024. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a whopping 52.16 million travellers, marking a 20.28% rise compared to the same period last year. AOT manages six key airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, and Hat…
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Pattaya introduces beach zoning to improve water tourism safety
Pattaya City and the Pattaya Marine Department are taking steps to revitalise the Pattaya Model plan to better regulate water tourism activities in Pattaya Bay. The initiative aims to enhance marine safety by implementing crucial zoning measures. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet and Director of the Pattaya Regional Marine Department, Ekkarat Kantaro, discussed these plans in a recent meeting. Poramase noted that…
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Phuket’s inadequate infrastructure development raises concerns
Inadequate infrastructure development in Phuket is struggling to match the island’s rapid urbanisation and severe flooding, tarnishing its reputation. The government’s failure to allocate sufficient budget and upgrade public facilities as promised is a significant concern. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, highlighted that 60% of tourists are first-time visitors who might not return if infrastructure issues…
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Heavy drought leaves Lamphun houseboats stranded
Heavy drought has struck the famous freshwater Kaeng Kor Lake in Lamphun, causing a significant drop in water levels and leaving houseboats stranded on land. Tourism services have been temporarily halted until conditions improve. Operators of houseboat services at Kaeng Kor Lake, located in Mae Ping National Park, Li District, Lamphun province, announced the suspension of their boating and restaurant…
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Thai hotels seek tax breaks for renovations and EV charger installs
Operators of Thai hotels are advocating for tax deductions or subsidies to support renovation investments, especially those focused on green energy initiatives. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also urged hotels in second-tier cities to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers to cater to the increasing number of travellers using EVs. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is set to meet with…
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Spirited pilgrimage: Tourists flock to Kham Chanod for blessings
Tourists flocked to the sacred island of Kham Chanod to honour the revered spirits of Pu Srisuttho and Sriprathumma, driven by unwavering faith and the hope for good fortune. The island, located in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, saw an influx of visitors yesterday, many of whom were intrigued by the mysterious appearance of four frogs in the holy…
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Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds
Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…
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Elephant riders rescue tourists in deep water after rafting mishap
A group of tourists found themselves in a perilous situation when their raft capsized in a raging river in Chiang Mai province yesterday. Swift action by a team of elephant riders ensured their safe rescue. The incident occurred when a sudden strong current overturned the tourists’ raft, leaving them stranded in the middle of the river. Clinging desperately to the…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Thailand raises Indian target to 2.4 million with visa-free policy
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised its target for Indian tourist arrivals from 2.3 to 2.4 million this year, driven by the recently introduced visa-free policy for Indian nationals. This visa waiver programme, which allows 60-day visa-free stays, extends to citizens of 93 countries and will last until November 2024. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that Indian arrivals…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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