foreign tourists
- Thailand News
Bangkok Airways employs French jets to support tourist surge
As Thailand’s tourist influx hits an all-time high, Bangkok Airways is scrambling to keep up, turning to France for reinforcements. In a bid to tackle its aircraft shortage, Bangkok Airways (PG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has secured a wet-lease deal with French airline Amelia (8R, Paris Le Bourget), which will provide two Airbus narrowbody aircraft to support the Thai carrier’s operations over…
- Thailand News
Tourism boom: Thailand attracts over 30 million visitors
Thailand is basking in a tourism revival as over 30.5 million foreign visitors flooded the country between January and mid-November, generating a staggering 1.43 trillion baht for local businesses. The Tourism and Sports Ministry shared the record-breaking figures yesterday, November 19, marking a major boost for the nation’s post-pandemic recovery. China topped the leaderboard with 5.97 million tourists, followed by…
- Thailand News
Leopard thrills visitors at Phetchaburi national park (video)
A leopard made a striking appearance at the Ban Krang Helipad in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi province, thrilling visitors. Captured in vivid detail by a tourist, this sighting underscores the park’s thriving ecosystem and effective conservation efforts. A clip and photographs of the leopard, shared by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), have drawn significant…
- Thailand News
Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong
Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Koh…
- Pattaya News
Foreign vendors in Pattaya exploit kids to tug at tourist heartstrings
Pattaya’s bustling tourist spots have taken a darker turn as foreign vendors, believed to be predominantly Vietnamese, are using children to drive aggressive street sales. Concerned reporters documented these vendors in action along Walking Street and Petchtrakool Road, North Pattaya, at around 4am yesterday, November 12, showcasing a worrying new trend that has locals and tourists alike on edge. These…
- Chiang Mai News
Chiang Mai tourists embrace 10 degrees cold snap
Chiang Mai is experiencing a significant drop in temperature, with the renowned Doi Inthanon registering a chilly 10 degrees Celsius (°C). Tourists are flocking to the area to enjoy the cold weather, despite warnings from the Northern Meteorological Centre about possible thunderstorms and weather changes that could impact health. The weather in Chiang Mai remains cold and overcast with intermittent…
- Tourism News
Take a trip to Thailand this Christmas
The holidays are fast approaching and Thailand is set to boom once again this festive season. Traditionally, one of the busiest times of the year for tourism in Thailand, recovery from Covid has been quite slow. For many people, especially those in colder climates, that means finding a vacation destination to relax, unwind and stay warm. Why not consider a…
- Thailand News
Record-breaking crowds cause traffic chaos at Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park was the place to be during the recent long weekend, smashing visitor records and causing traffic nightmares at the gates. Over the three-day holiday from October 12 to 14, the park saw daily entrance fees soar past 1 million baht as hordes of tourists flooded in to enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery. Park chief…
- Thailand News
Phuket aims for 500 billion baht tourism boost with new initiatives
Phuket aims to boost its tourism revenue to 500 billion baht in the latter half of this year by implementing policies targeted at high-end tourists. Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), announced the revised revenue goal, which had previously been set at 420 billion baht (US$12.6 billion). He emphasised that the new target underscores Phuket’s potential…
- Tourism News
Krabi Airport gears up for 60% surge in tourist season flights
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has directed Krabi International Airport and associated agencies to prepare for a substantial rise in flights and passenger traffic during the high tourist season, particularly along the Andaman coast. According to the Department of Airports (DOA), the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule includes over 160 domestic flights, more than 60 international flights, and 90 charter flights…
- Thailand News
Shoppers rush post-flood markets in Chiang Rai for bargains
Shoppers flocked to the Sai Lom Joi Market and Doi Wao Market in Chiang Rai‘s Mae Sai district to purchase discounted goods following the recent floodwaters receding. The bustling atmosphere saw a surge of visitors eager to take advantage of the low prices on offer. This annual post-flood shopping event has become a tradition for these border trade markets. Floodwaters…
- Phuket News
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…
- Pattaya News
Tourists urinate on Pattaya Beach, sparking local outrage
Outrage erupted among Thai social media users after a video emerged showing male tourists urinating on Pattaya Beach. The video, shared by a Facebook user with the caption “Swimmers swim, and urinators urinate,” quickly went viral within a popular Pattaya Facebook group, which boasts over 200,000 members. The incident has sparked widespread anger, particularly among Pattaya locals, who questioned why…
- Business News
Mid-priced hotels in Thailand struggle amid price-sensitive tourists
Hotels in the mid-priced and budget segments in Thailand faced significant challenges in maintaining room and occupancy rates in August, as tourists remained sensitive to prices. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that while the average occupancy rate for hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, it still fell short of the pre-pandemic rate of…
- Thailand News
New travel rules: Thailand’s ETA to shake up visa-free visitors
Thailand is tightening its borders with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to launch between December this year and June 2025. This system will be mandatory for all visa-exempt foreigners entering the country by air, land, or sea. Though not technically a visa, the ETA will act as a computerised security check, similar to the ETIAS programme for…
- Phuket News
Phuket hotels see steady service charges and rising room rates
Phuket’s hotel industry will see stable service charge income and rising room rates during the upcoming peak season, according to the Phuket Hotels Association (PHA). PHA President Bjorn Courage noted that employment levels in Phuket’s 95-member hotels have fully rebounded post-pandemic. Typically, service charges account for 10% of paid room nights and are distributed monthly among all staff members. With…
- Phuket News
Phuket taxi driver tussle turns streets into a brawl zone (video)
The streets of Phuket resembled more like a battle scene today than a picturesque holiday resort after a furious brawl broke out between local taxi drivers and foreign tourists, raising fresh concerns about visitor safety. What started as a squabble quickly spiralled into a full-blown fight, drawing a large crowd of shocked onlookers. Wichit Police stepped in today, August 30,…
- Thailand News
Rampaging buffalo charges through Chon Buri beach (video)
A peaceful day at Nang Ram Beach in Chon Buri province turned into a nightmare when an escaped buffalo went on a wild rampage, charging at unsuspecting tourists and sparking widespread panic. The young, powerful bovine was spotted tearing across the sandy shores, causing chaos as it headed straight for a family enjoying a leisurely picnic. Eyewitnesses described the shocking…
- Thailand News
Pattaya police crack down on unruly Middle Eastern tourists
In response to an avalanche of complaints from frustrated locals, Pattaya police have finally taken a stand against the unruly behaviour of Middle Eastern tourists in Soi Yensabai. Following numerous disturbances caused by these tourists riding motorcycles, honking horns, and revving engines, police have established checkpoints at strategic spots along the street. Police officers are now stationed at the entrance,…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s 60-day visa exemption unleashes unlimited entry by land
Three days into Thailand’s 60-day entry visa exemption, a tourist discovered there are no restrictions on the number of entries by land in a calendar year. Tod Daniels, ASEAN NOW‘s visa expert reported that the tourist did two free stamp land entries this year, left Thailand then entered the country again, and got a new 60-day entry with no issues.…
- Thailand News
Motorbike taxi speeds along Patong Beach, alarming tourists (video)
A motorbike taxi was seen speeding along Patong Beach in Phuket, causing confusion among the many tourists relaxing on the shore. Lifeguards attempted to intervene but were unable to catch the rider. A video showing a motorbike taxi riding on Patong Beach in Kathu district, Phuket, was shared by Monsoongarbage Thailand and Newshawk Phuket, causing a stir on social media.…
- Thailand News
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:…
- Business News
Asia Aviation sees record earnings from China, India travel surge
Asia Aviation Plc, Thailand’s largest low-cost airline operator, anticipates record earnings from core operations this year, driven by a significant increase in international visitors, which is boosting demand for seats and airfares. According to Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya, Thai AirAsia, the fully-owned budget airline unit of Asia Aviation, plans to increase flights to China and India to take advantage…
- Road deaths
Minibus crash in Surat Thani injures ten foreign tourists
A minibus carrying foreign tourists overturned yesterday, injuring ten passengers. The accident occurred around 6.30am, yesterday, July 7, on Phunphin-Mueang Road in the Tha Lon sub-district, Phunphin district, Surat Thani province. Police and rescue workers promptly arrived at the scene where they found the minibus overturned on the roadside. The ten foreign tourists, who sustained minor injuries, were swiftly transported…
- Thailand News
Tourists’ Phuket beach fun turns into life-or-death drama
Eight foreign tourists narrowly escaped drowning in Phuket’s treacherous seas yesterday after ignoring warning signs on the beaches. In the first harrowing incident, two Indian couples defied the red flag flying on Karon Beach and ventured into the turbulent waters. Witnesses reported the tourists quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the powerful waves and wind, unable to swim back to shore.…
- Thailand News
Bangkok steps up crackdown on illegal begging
Police in Bangkok have intensified efforts to curb illegal begging, with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) spearheading routine inspections in collaboration with various sectors. The initiative, announced by Varawut Silpa-archa, involves inspecting for illegal beggars five times a month, aiming to address the persistent issue effectively. During these inspections, Thai beggars are transferred to the Centre…
- Thailand News
Thailand to unveil five-year digital nomad visa
Thailand is on the verge of launching a much-anticipated digital nomad visa, granting remote workers the golden opportunity to reside and work in the country hassle-free for up to five years. In the past, Thailand unveiled the Thailand Elite Visa to attract foreign expatriates and tourists, offering unlimited entry and exit privileges alongside membership in the esteemed Thailand Privilege programme.…
- Thailand News
Pattaya mayor takes action to prevent parasailing accidents
Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has called for urgent action following a worrying increase in accidents related to parasailing and other water activities. In a decisive meeting held on Friday, May 31, the mayor sat down with city and tourist police to discuss tightening regulations for parasailing operators. Currently, these operators offer an array of activities: from thrilling jet ski…
- Thailand News
Tourists behaving badly: Locals protest for better respect
Thailand is not the only country in the world with badly behaved tourists. As Ibiza and Mallorca say no to tourists coming to party, it’s becoming increasingly clear that expectations on travellers in the world’s most popular destinations are changing. In recent months, Thailand has seen an increase in crime committed by foreign tourists, from illegal employment to property damage…
- Thailand News
Bangkok Land to transform Mueang Thong Thani into smart city
Bangkok Land, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, is poised to transform Mueang Thong Thani into a smart city district. This ambitious plan includes the establishment of a new seafood and fruit centre aimed at providing affordable goods to attract tourists to Nonthaburi. The development is strategically timed to coincide with the launch of the Pink Line monorail service,…
