foreign tourists
- 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
Mae Hong Son cracks down on inappropriate tourist behaviour
Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Pongchai issued an urgent directive to tighten regulations and enhance supervision of tourism activities in the Pai district, following reports of inappropriate behaviour by some foreign tourists during river tubing on the Pai River. The matter came to the fore when a local resort owner in Pai raised concerns about the current state of tubing…
- 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.…
- 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
Warning at Jomtien Beach: Erosion creates dangerous slope
Jomtien Municipality placed warning signs around Jomtien Beach, alerting tourists to a hazardous slope formed by erosion. The signs advise visitors to steer clear of the affected area for their safety. A significant portion of the beach, stretching approximately 1 kilometre, has experienced severe erosion due to monsoon waves and strong winds. This natural process has resulted in a steep…
- 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
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
Taxing times: Tourism Minister stands firm with 300 baht tourist tax
In a recent press conference, Thailand’s new Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, hinted at the impending introduction of a tourist tax, known as the Kha Yeap Pan Din, translating to a landing fee. Although no specific timeline was provided for its implementation, the newly-appointed minister emphasised the unlikelihood of abandoning the proposed tax. Sermsak, formerly the Culture Minister, assumed…
- 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
Pattaya police introduce mobile app to boost tourist safety
Pattaya City Police Station has unveiled the PATTAYA SAFETY application to boost tourist safety. Superintendent Police Colonel Navin Theerawit announced this innovative app designed to enhance the safety of Thai and international tourists visiting the vibrant city of Pattaya. Developed under the provincial police’s guidance, the PATTAYA SAFETY app acts as a comprehensive platform for incident reporting, tip submission, and…
- Thailand News
Bangkok’s tourist boom fuelled by cross-dressing craze
In the heart of Bangkok’s cultural tapestry, temples and palaces stand as timeless monuments, attracting a staggering influx of tourists, now bolstered by an unexpected trend: The rise of cross-dressing among travellers. This unconventional craze, captured in a recent viral video, showcases groups of male tourists donning traditional Thai female attire as they explore the city’s iconic landmarks. Thapanee Kiatphaibool,…
- Business News
Superrich faces stalled growth as tourists prefer travel cards
Renowned local money changer Superrich Currency Exchange (1995) Co, known by its SuperRich Orange brand, has faced a challenging start to the year with its transaction growth stalling at zero during the initial four months, despite an increase in foreign travellers. The stagnation in Superrich’s growth is largely due to the rising popularity of travel card services, which are increasingly…
- Thailand News
Take a thrilling ride on the Pattaya Sky Ride
Nestled amidst the glimmering beaches and pulsating nightlife of Pattaya lies a new gem captivating the hearts of locals and tourists alike – the Pattaya Sky Ride. Offering a euphoric adventure, this latest addition allows thrill-seekers to soar above Pattaya’s enchanting landscape, gazing down upon its wonders from the heights of a helicopter. The grand unveiling was nothing short of…
- Phuket News
Phuket governor and British ambassador discuss tourist safety
Sophon Suwannarat, the Governor of Phuket, hosted Mark Gooding, the British Ambassador to Thailand, in a meeting on May 7, focusing on the safety of tourists. The meeting, which took place at the Phuket Provincial Hall, aimed to foster relations between Phuket and the British Government. Governor Sophon emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of tourists, particularly by reducing…
- Thailand News
Thailand revealed as best country to visit
Thailand has taken the top spot in the World’s Best Countries to Visit in Your Lifetime in 2024 list, as announced by the CEOWORLD Magazine yesterday. This noteworthy rank came to light following a comprehensive survey conducted by the magazine, which engaged the opinions of 295,000 users, marking it as the most participated survey on their website. The appeal of…
- Phuket News
Phuket model: Thai govt’s innovative approach to tourist safety
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Kittirat Panphet, convened with local consuls to discuss the Phuket Model – an innovative approach to law enforcement. The meeting took place yesterday at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Phuket. The Phuket Model, a comprehensive strategy aimed at safeguarding the interests of tourists, was unveiled…
- Tourism News
Songkran festival drives 90% hotel booking rates in Thailand
Tienprasit Chaiyapatanan, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), revealed to the public yesterday that the Songkran festival, which took place from April 13 to April 15, witnessed a gratifying 90% hotel booking rate in major tourist zones. This surge in bookings mirrors the popularity of the traditional Thai water festival among both local and international visitors. However, an extension…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s foreign tourism boom: 10 million visitors fuel 500 billion windfall
Thailand has welcomed over 10 million foreign tourists this year alone, leading to revenue exceeding 500 billion baht, reported the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The data, up to date as of yesterday, shows 10,723,953 foreign visitors have contributed to an income of 518 billion baht (US$14 billion). Chinese tourists led the pack with over 2 million visitors, followed by 1.39…
- Tourism News
Thailand sees remarkable tourism boom in Q1 2024
Thailand experienced a remarkable tourism boom in the first quarter of 2024, with the arrival of 9.37 million international tourists, a hefty 44% surge compared to the same period in 2023. The Tourism and Sports Ministry‘s announcement in April, revealed this significant increase, attributing it to the influx of visitors from various parts of the globe. Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol…
- Business News
Thailand explores extending emergency coverage to foreign tourists
The possibility of extending the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) programme to safeguard foreign tourists is being explored by the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. This move comes in the wake of a rising number of injuries among tourists, primarily due to road and water accidents. The proposal to include foreign tourists under…
- Thailand News
Phuket court to revive tourist section amid rising crime against visitors
The Phuket Provincial Court is set to revive its tourist section in response to an increasing number of court cases involving tourists. This initiative is led by the acting chief justice of the Phuket Provincial Court, Kriangsak Rodpunshoo. He disclosed that the influx of both local and international tourists in Phuket has led to a spike in both criminal and…
- Thailand News
Tourists attacked as hungry monkeys swarm Bang Saen Beach
In the blistering heat of midday last Friday, March 8, a frenzy of ravenous monkeys cascaded down from Khao Sam Muk, invading Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. With desperation in their eyes, the furry bandits eagerly awaited sustenance from unsuspecting tourists, with some even resorting to car-climbing antics in a desperate bid for food. Reports flooded in of…
- Thailand News
Czech tourist found dead in apparent suicide in Pattaya
A 49 year old Czech tourist was found dead in an apparent suicide at a Pattaya beach city apartment in Chon Buri. The grim discovery was made in an apartment in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, alerting police and rescue workers to the scene yesterday evening. The man, whose identity has been withheld until family members are notified, was…
- Thailand News
European travellers send southern Thailand’s hotel rates soaring
Southern Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a seismic shift as European travellers drive hotel performance to unprecedented heights. A recent report by the Bangkok Post reveals that tourists hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Germany are flocking to the region, enticed by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and significantly boosting occupancy rates to a staggering 90% or higher. Pongsakorn Ketprapakorn, former president…
- Thailand News
Investigations reveal fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery
Authorities in Bangkok have launched a crackdown on jewellery businesses, manufacturers, and distributors following a surge in complaints from unsuspecting tourists. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), alongside key agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourist Police, took decisive action to address concerns raised by visitors who felt deceived into purchasing fake diamonds and counterfeit jewellery.…
- Business News
Post-pandemic shift in tourist spending habits reveals TikTok’s role in Thai travel
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) divulged insightful data revealing a shift in foreign tourists’ spending habits post-pandemic and the surge in popularity of TikTok as a source of travel information and inspiration. A survey conducted by TAT’s digital R&D Deputy Governor Teerasil Tapen, encompassing 30,054 tourists in 2023, unveiled an increased average expenditure on individual trips, rising from 48,209…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya woman injured by glass thrown in dog-caused dispute
A 37 year old local woman named Amawalee Tongfark, found herself in an unfortunate altercation when a glass, thrown by a foreign man, left her with an arm injury in Pattaya. The incident, which was sparked by an agitated response to a barking dog, occurred at a cafe near Jomtien Beach where Amawalee and a friend were spending time. The…
