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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Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia
For decades, Thailand has been the quintessential destination for retirees seeking an affordable, beautiful, and culturally rich new home. With its golden beaches, vibrant cuisine, and famously welcoming population, the Land of Smiles has lured hundreds of thousands of Westerners to spend their golden years soaking up its tropical hospitality. Yet, a quiet transformation is taking place beneath the palm…
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Full Moon tragedy: British tourist found dead on Koh Pha Ngan
A British tourist has been found dead and half-naked on a beach just days before the island’s notorious Full Moon Party, sending shockwaves through the Thai holiday hotspot. The 54 year old was discovered face-down in the sand by a local villager at around 6.30am today, June 4, wearing nothing but an orange bra. Her underwear was later found washed…
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Burglar nicks bling and cash in Pattaya pool villa theft
A relaxing getaway turned into a nightmare for a holidaymaker after a crook broke into her private pool villa in Pattaya and swiped gold and cash, all caught on CCTV. Thanyarat, from Prachinburi province, had checked into the Yoo Dee Pool Villa in Huai Yai on June 2 for a peaceful overnight stay. But the peace didn’t last long. The…
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Tourism council urges PM to boost sector’s global competitiveness
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is set to submit a letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra this week, advocating for enhancements in the tourism sector to elevate Thailand’s competitiveness on a global scale. Chai Arunanondchai, President of the TCT, emphasised the need for Thailand to evolve into a sustainable and high-quality tourism destination. According to Chai, the sector, responsible…
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Tiger selfie turns savage: Indian tourist mauled in Phuket (video)
A dream holiday snap turned into a nightmare for one tourist in Phuket after a tiger lashed out during a selfie stunt—leaving social media stunned and raising serious questions about animal welfare at popular tourist attractions. An Indian tourist suffered minor injuries after being attacked by a tiger at Tiger Kingdom in Phuket. The man, whose identity has not been…
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Paetongtarn rolls out 5 fixes to save Thai tourism
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has issued a rallying cry to save the country’s ailing tourism sector, issuing five urgent orders that aim to transform the Land of Smiles into a global travel magnet. The 38 year old Pheu Thai leader has ordered five emergency measures to turbocharge Thailand’s tourism industry, making it a national priority under the government’s massive…
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Bangkok’s Grand Palace shuts down for royal birthday
Bangkok’s iconic Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (or Temple of the Emerald Buddha) will close their gates completely on Tuesday, June 3, as the nation honours the royal birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida. The Bureau of the Royal Household announced the closure yesterday, May 29, urging visitors and tourists to plan accordingly. Ahead of the full closure, a…
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F1 fever hits Bangkok: Street race plans rev up
Thailand is gearing up for a high-octane future as Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed plans to host the F1 World Championship on a street circuit rather than investing in a dedicated racetrack. This bold move aligns with Formula One’s preference and the private sector’s eagerness to back the event, signalling an exciting chapter for Thai motorsport. Minister Surawong…
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Thailand goes full glam for Pride Month with epic nationwide festival
Get ready to strut — Thailand is rolling out the rainbow carpet! The government has officially launched the Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival, a dazzling, month-long celebration of Pride taking place across the country throughout June. Billed as a tribute to global Pride Month, the campaign not only celebrates love, equality, and identity, but also cements Thailand’s growing reputation as…
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Chinese ditch Thailand for cheaper, drama-free Cambodia
While Thailand scrambles to revive its struggling tourism sector, neighbouring Cambodia is quietly winning over Chinese holidaymakers — and it’s pulling out all the stops. In a bold push to attract foreign tourists, Cambodian officials declared 2025 the “China-Cambodia Tourism Year,” and it’s already paying off. Just last week, a record-setting group of 1,000 Chinese tourists from Wuxi, near Shanghai,…
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Baht off! Bangkok Bank shuts the door on tourist accounts
Tourists and short-term visitors in Thailand are getting the cold shoulder from Bangkok Bank after the banking giant quietly slammed the brakes on opening accounts for foreigners without long-term visas. Expats and digital nomads are reeling after Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest lender, introduced tough new rules barring tourists from opening deposit accounts, applying for credit cards, or using mobile banking…
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Phuket boosts tourism with 7 new developments
Phuket’s booming tourism industry is set for a fresh injection of new developments as four hotels and three condominiums received approval from the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during a recent meeting. The third EIA committee gathering of the year took place at the Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, chaired by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai. The…
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Top 5 kid-friendly experiences on Koh Samui
Experiencing Koh Samui with kids may just offer an adventure of a lifetime. The award-winning island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, features many educational activities set against the backdrop of a tropical paradise, Ann Carter writes. The island’s kid-friendly establishments focus on educational opportunities that blend a sense of community, nature-themed activities, and creative outlets. Koh Samui is where…
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Elephants find freedom and healing at Thailand’s Samui sanctuary
In the lush greenery of Koh Samui’s Bo Phut district, two elephants have discovered the ultimate way to beat the sizzling May heat: cooling off in a pool and rolling in mud at the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. Kaew Ta and Kham Phean, both in their mid-60s, enjoy this peaceful retirement after years of harsh labour in logging and tourism. The…
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Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season
Pattaya is proving that even the so-called low season cannot dim its vibrant appeal. With fresh urban upgrades and the ever-popular nearby island of Koh Larn continuing to attract visitors, this bustling city remains a favourite destination for both Thai and international travellers year-round. On Sunday, May 25, reporters visited Khao Phra Tamnak, also known as Naval Radio Station Hill,…
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Thailand integrates AI to transform tourism sector
Assistant Minister Supachai Jaismut from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation attended a national seminar in Phuket to promote the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Thailand’s tourism sector. The event, AI for Next Gen – Transforming New Era Tourism with AI, took place at the Blockchain Technology Centre in Chalong from May 24 to May 25.…
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Foreign tourists caught defecating outside restuarant in Phuket
A Thai restaurant owner in Phuket urged the government to consider increasing the number of public bathrooms after foreign tourists defecated outside his business on two separate occasions. The owner of Salaloy Restaurant, Pananut Asawapitakchon, shared details of the unpleasant incidents on his Facebook account yesterday, May 22. He explained that the incidents occurred twice beforehand, last week and this week,…
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TAT and AIS launch travel campaign to boost domestic tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has collaborated with Advanced Info Service (AIS) to introduce the Sukjai Travel Thailand – Aunjai Everywhere campaign to invigorate domestic tourism this year. The campaign focuses on showcasing both prominent cities and emerging travel destinations, beginning with an event on Banthat Thong Road in Bangkok, offering tourists an array of culinary delights and exclusive…
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China backs green Phuket push to boost tourism and tunnels
China is throwing its support behind Phuket’s dream of becoming a low-carbon tourist haven, following a high-level diplomatic visit that’s turned heads across the island. Yesterday, May 21, Chinese Consul General in Songkhla Wang Zhijian paid a courtesy visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the Phuket Provincial Hall. The visit wasn’t just ceremonial—both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen…
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No sex on the beach: Cops go nuts for ‘coconut tree’ sex workers
More than 50 alleged sex workers were rounded up along Pattaya Beach last night in a dramatic police sweep, just over a week after furious residents branded previous crackdowns a “PR stunt.” Officers stormed the beachfront at 9.06pm, yesterday, May 21, in a coordinated operation aimed at flushing out the illegal trade tarnishing the city’s tourist image. The move came…
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Foreign tourist flees angry mob after violating Krabi national park rules
A viral video has emerged showing a foreign tourist fleeing from angry Thai men after he violated rules at a national park in the southern province of Krabi. It is also alleged the foreigner behaved disrespectfully towards park rangers. The Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Facebook page issued a statement addressing the incident after a video of the…
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Scam city: Bangkok tops list for tourist fraud
Planning a holiday in Thailand? You’d better watch your wallet. Bangkok has just been named one of the world’s top hotspots for tourist fraud, with nearly half of all reported scams involving dodgy taxi and car rental deals, according to a new report by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Released this week and highlighted by CNBC, the report reveals a disturbing…
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Pattaya cracks top 10 safest cities in ASEAN
In a surprising twist that’s turning heads across Southeast Asia, Pattaya, long known for its wild nightlife, has been named one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in ASEAN for 2025. The ranking, released by Numbeo, a global database that tracks cost of living and quality of life, placed Pattaya at 9th with a Safety Index score of 53.9. The…
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Thailand bets big on rain with 1.17tn baht tourism push
Who says the rainy season is a travel killer? Thailand’s tourism chiefs are flipping the script with a bold new campaign aiming to turn soggy skies into serious cash, targeting a jaw-dropping 1.17 trillion baht in domestic tourism revenue in 2025. On Sunday, May 18, Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan announced the launch of 12 creative tourism campaigns under the…
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Rescue volunteer shocked as foreigner trashes Pattaya booth
A shocked rescue volunteer in Pattaya is pleading for justice after a mystery foreigner allegedly smashed into his emergency booth, causing thousands of baht in damage, including wrecking a defibrillator. Thawin Siangkong, who works unpaid for the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit, reported the late-night break-in to Pattaya police in the early hours of today, May 20. Armed with CCTV footage…
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Ex-British air hostess busted in Sri Lanka over 67 million drug stash
An ex-British air hostess has been busted in Sri Lanka over a massive £1.5 million (66.5 million baht) cannabis haul, just days after another young Brit was arrested for a similar smuggling run from Thailand. Charlotte May Lee, from Coulsdon in South London, was arrested at Colombo Airport, Monday, May 12, after touching down on a flight from Bangkok. Customs…
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Phu Kradueng cable car sparks sustainability fears
The proposed cable car project in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with questions being raised about its compliance with sustainable development objectives. Opponents argue that the project exemplifies a trend of government-supported large-scale initiatives that could exploit natural resources under the guise of tourism growth. The issue re-emerged late last month…
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What to pack for Thailand without looking like a tourist?
Can you travel light, stay stylish, and still blend in with the locals? In Thailand, where the climate is tropical, the culture is modest, and fashion is effortlessly chic, what you pack says a lot about how you show up—not just in photos, but in respect and awareness. You don’t need a suitcase of outfits to make the right impression.…
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Top Shanghai official tours Pattaya in tourism charm offensive
Pattaya rolled out the red carpet this week as a high-profile Chinese delegation arrived to explore what the city has to offer—and to send a strong message: Thailand is open, safe, and ready to welcome Chinese tourists back in droves. Yesterday afternoon, May 15, at the Garden Cliff Hotel, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and his secretary, Phumpipat Kamolnath, greeted Zhang…
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Thailand’s tourist trade rocked by tariff-ic blow
Thailand’s tourist trade is feeling the heat, not from the sun, but from a chilly global economy and punishing US tariffs that are sending shockwaves all the way to Bangkok’s hotel lobbies. Thailand’s hotel sector is bracing for a rough ride as fewer foreign visitors and shrinking wallets threaten to slash spending, spark price wars and pile pressure on operators,…
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