Japan
- Thailand News
Thailand targets 36.7 million tourists in 2024 despite challenges
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a steady growth in international tourists for the fourth quarter of 2024, despite recent flooding in the country. The initial concern was that such natural disasters might deter visitors. However, the influx, particularly from Chinese tourists during China’s National Day holiday, has surpassed expectations. To achieve the target of 36.7 million international tourists…
- Business News
Japan urged to boost Thai investments, focus on semiconductors
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan called on Japanese businesses to boost their investments in Thailand, particularly in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors. This appeal comes as the Thai government aims to recover from a significant drop in Japanese investments following the 2014 coup. Investment from Japan plummeted by up to 90% after the coup and has yet to return to previous…
- International Education
Why Asia’s resort destinations are tapping into the growth of international schools
A key indicator of Bangkok’s growing economic maturity is the rapid rise in international schools both in the city and across Thailand and the region. It’s no longer limited to wealthy local families and expatriates, these schools are now drawing in a diverse student body, fueled by the surge in global migration. Branded education is highly prioritised by Thais, contributing…
- Business News
Japan sees record tourist arrivals, Thai visitors surge
Tourist arrivals to Japan have surged to record levels, with over three million visitors per month from March to July this year. Despite the sweltering heat in July, Japan attracted 3.29 million tourists, marking a 41.9% year-on-year increase, as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organisation. Among these visitors, Thai tourists ranked fifth, with 671,810 arrivals. Japan has been a…
- Thailand News
Thai tourist praised for removing sticker from Mount Fuji
A Thai tourist removed a controversial sticker placed by a popular travel page on Mount Fuji, sparking widespread gratitude on social media. The travel page, followed by over 37,000 people, recently orchestrated a romantic proposal at the summit of Japan’s iconic mountain. They marked the occasion by attaching a sticker bearing their page’s name to a pole along the hiking…
- Thailand News
Thai woman faces backlash over luggage request to Japan
A Thai woman travelling to Japan faced online backlash after posting a request for someone to carry her extra luggage for a fee of 2,000 baht. Her post, which appeared in the Facebook group กลุ่มคนชอบตะลอนเที่ยวญี่ปุ่น (Japan Travel Group), was quickly removed following a flood of critical comments. The traveller asked if anyone flying to Tokyo with China Eastern Airline on…
- Tourism News
Thai tourists favour China and Japan over South Korea
A marked decline in the number of Thai tourists travelling to South Korea has been observed over the past seven months, with many opting instead for trips to China and Japan. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that 20,150 Thais visited South Korea in June, a significant drop from the 25,023 recorded during the same period last year. This downward…
- Business News
Thailand secures 98.5 billion baht for data centres, cloud projects
Government backing for investments in data centres and cloud service projects in Thailand aims to position the nation as a digital economy hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin considers these investments crucial for the digital economy’s growth and believes they will establish Thailand as a significant investment destination for the international community. Transforming Thailand into…
- Business News
Ana maintains pre-pandemic load on Thailand-Japan flights
Japanese carrier ANA has successfully maintained the load factor on Thailand-Japan routes at the same robust level as in 2019, despite the challenges posed by a weak yen. Notably, the majority of its passengers are now Thai tourists and long-haul travellers transiting through Japan. Thailand has emerged as one of ANA’s strongest routes in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia post-pandemic, alongside…
- Thailand News
Mount Fuji reopens for six days, four climbers dead
Japan recently reopened Mount Fuji to climbers for only six days, and already four lives have been lost. The unpredictable weather conditions on Mount Fuji have been cited as a significant factor in these unfortunate incidents. The latest update came from the social media page Everything About Japan, which reported on the tragic events involving tourists and climbers on Mount…
- Thailand News
Red yeast rice scare: Thai FDA ensures public protection
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that red yeast rice supplements linked to a shocking number of deaths in Japan have not entered the Thai market. This announcement follows Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co’s revelation that it is investigating an additional 76 deaths potentially connected to its benikoji (red rice tablets). The health scare began in March when…
- Thailand News
Japan Airlines joins Love Pride Parade 2024 in Thailand
Japan Airlines (JAL) made a significant statement in support of gender equality in Thailand by participating in the inaugural Love Pride Parade 2024. The airline’s vibrant Color Your Skies parade float, featuring actor Luke Ishikawa, underscored JAL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The parade marked a milestone for Japan Airlines as it showcased its values of equality and non-discrimination on…
- Thailand News
Japan considers extending tourist visa waiver for Thai citizens
Japan is contemplating an extension of its tourist visa waiver for Thai citizens due to rising concerns over its potential discontinuation next year. This matter surfaced during discussions held in Tokyo between Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa. Trade and investment relations were the primary focus of their meeting. However, the visa waiver programme was also…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s new food paradise: Mitsukoshi supermarket
Bangkok is set to experience a gastronomic transformation as One Bangkok, the city’s fully integrated smart and sustainable district, partners with Japan’s largest department store group, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Co., Ltd. This strategic collaboration aims to redefine Bangkok’s food and grocery shopping experience. One Bangkok, a joint venture between TCC Assets (Thailand) and Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Company Limited, has…
- Things To Do
Explore authentic Japanese onsen in the heart of Bangkok: A must-visit guide
Whether you’re a Bangkokker or a tourist, you must be familiar with the popularity of wellness services in Thailand. Known as “the land of smiles,” it’s no surprise that massage parlours and spas are popping up everywhere in Bangkok and all over Thailand. One of the latest hype for spa aficionados appeared to be “onsen.” This is not a native…
- Thailand News
Japan zoo gender mix-up: Male hippo turns out to be female
In a revelation that has stunned both visitors and staff, Osaka Tennoji Zoo unearthed a surprising twist regarding Gen-chan, a hippo believed to be male since its arrival from Mexico’s Africam Safari in 2017 at the tender age of 5. The zoo dropped a bombshell on its website, disclosing that Gen-chan is, in fact, a female. Mexican authorities had assured…
- Tourism News
Japan’s visitor count hits record high with Thai tourists in the mix
Japan experienced a surge in foreign visitors in March, surpassing the three million mark for the first time in a single month. Thai tourists to Japan ranked sixth, contributing to the notable increase in visitors. South Korea topped the list with 663,100 visitors marking a 13.2% rise from 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Taiwan and China followed with 484,400 and 452,400 visitors…
- Thailand News
Thai couple face backlash for romantic graffiti on bridge in Japan
A Thai couple faced a backlash on social media after expressing their love by writing their names, Beer <3 Mayvy 2024, on a bridge at a popular tourist destination in Tokyo, Japan. A Thai man took to Facebook to condemn the couple’s action, sharing a picture of the handwritten message on the bridge with a caption that read… “I visited…
- Business News
Bangkok and JETRO Review 2023 economic trends of Japanese ventures in Thailand
Bangkok discusses JETRO presenting the results of a survey of economic trends of Japanese joint venture companies in Thailand in the second half of 2023 towards the development of Bangkok as a city of economy and hope. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok welcomed Jun Kuroda, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization, Bangkok: JETRO Bangkok to present the results of…
- Thailand News
Thailand responds to surge in flesh-eating disease cases in Japan
A surge in the number of flesh-eating disease cases, officially known as necrotising fasciitis, in Japan, has prompted a response from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). The DDC gave reassurances yesterday that no instances of the rare but deadly bacterial infection have been reported in Thailand this year. The DDC is keeping a close eye on the developments in…
- Business News
Japan experiences surge in qr code transactions amid push for digitalisation
Across Japan, a surge in electronic payment drives has been noted, as municipalities aim to encourage digitalised consumption through QR code transactions. These campaigns, often run in collaboration with local businesses, have seen increasing popularity, despite resistance from certain demographics, particularly the elderly and those less adept with digital devices. The country’s significant elderly population, a group that has been…
- Thailand News
Thai government tackles rise in nationals overstaying Japan visas
The Thai government pledged to tackle the increasing number of Thai nationals overstaying their 15-day visas in Japan, following a sharp rise in such incidents over recent years. This commitment was confirmed by Jakkapong Sangmanee, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who recently held discussions with a senior official from the Japanese embassy. The public expressed concerns over the potential…
- Thailand News
Thai entrepreneurs make record-breaking sales at Japan food expo
Fifty Thai entrepreneurs showcased their culinary prowess at the Foodex Japan 2024 exhibition held in Tokyo from March 5 to 8. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the response from Japanese buyers was so overwhelming that sales soared to nearly 2.5 billion baht. Chanthapat Panjamanond, Thailand’s commercial attaché in Tokyo revealed that orders for Thai food products…
- Business News
Japan’s visa-free privileges for Thais safe despite overstay concerns
Fears of a potential withdrawal of Japan’s visa-free privileges due to an increased number of Thais overstaying their visas have been dismissed by travel operators. The Department of Consular Affairs brought attention to this issue last December, revealing an increase in the number of Thais overstaying from 8,688 in 2021 to 11,472 in 2023. Reports suggest that the Japanese government…
- Thailand News
Tourists banned from Kyoto’s Geisha District
In a bold move to protect Kyoto’s iconic geisha from relentless harassment by tourists, the local council in Gion has decided to ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets. The decision comes after a surge in appalling incidents where traditional entertainers found themselves accosted and disrespected by unruly visitors. This move marks the latest effort to safeguard the revered geisha…
- Thailand News
Japan’s banana boost leaves Thai growers going ape
Thai banana growers are going ape over the news that Japan is considering increasing the import quota of Thai bananas, potentially adding a bunch of up to 100,000 tonnes. This announcement came after a fruitful meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Tokyo, Japan, where the Thai Trade Representative, Naruemon Phinyosinwat, alongside the Thailand team, held discussions…
- World News
Mysterious body found in burnt Japan home sparks online intrigue
A mysterious case has captured the attention of online communities after a house fire in Japan revealed a charred body, raising questions about the victim’s identity since the homeowner and his relatives were confirmed safe. The incident occurred in the town of Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, at noon on February 20, when a house was engulfed in flames, resulting in…
- Thailand News
Air Japan cancels Bangkok-Tokyo flights, stranding passengers
Passengers were left disappointed and frustrated when their Air Japan flight to Tokyo was abruptly cancelled due to technical issues. The fledgling airline, a low-cost carrier within the ANA group, found itself at the centre of controversy after it revealed that it operates with a single aircraft, which brought about a series of cancellations affecting travellers from both Thailand and…
- Business News
Thai industrial authority partners with Japanese firms for green utility project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is collaborating with Japanese firms, IHI Corporation and IHI Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co, on a green utility project at the Smart Park Industrial Estate in Rayong. The initiative, aimed at encouraging eco-considerate manufacturing, will involve a feasibility study on the development of renewable energy and green infrastructure. The study marks the first phase…
- Thailand News
Agoda reveals hotspots: Bangkok heats up rankings
Agoda unveiled the hottest must-visit destinations with the Big Mango, Bangkok sizzling in second place. Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam emerged as the unrivalled favourites, igniting a tourism frenzy in the first month alone. Moreover, Malaysia and South Korea are hot on their heels, rounding up the top five inbound markets. According to Agoda’s January 2024 booking rankings, Asian travel destinations have…
