foreign tourists
- 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…
- Thailand News
Pattaya sees record tourist surge during Songkran
As the extended Songkran holiday wrapped up on Tuesday, tourists bid farewell to the sun-kissed islands surrounding Pattaya, turning the Bali Hai Pier area into a buzzing hub of activity. Local authorities ramped up services to cater to the influx, ensuring convenience for visitors throughout the holiday period. Officers stationed at the pier witnessed a remarkable influx of tourists from…
- 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…
- 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…
- Business News
Thailand anticipates American tourism influx due to Songkran
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is anticipating a robust tourism influx from North and South America this year, with a projection of at least 1.5 million tourists – a figure that mirrors the 2019 statistics. This surge is attributed to the confluence of the Songkran celebrations and the Easter holiday in April. Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle…
- 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
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.…
- Thailand News
Thai brothers dead, Indonesian tourists injured in road accident
An accident on Highway 7 en route to Pattaya, left two brothers dead and several Indonesian tourists injured on Monday, March 4 at 3pm. The accident involved a six-wheeled truck and a minivan which collided with each other. Promptly responding to the distress call, Highway Police dispatched rescue personnel. Upon arrival at the accident scene, authorities were met with a…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Tuk tuks and taxis: Bangkok’s solution to overcharging crisis
In a move to safeguard tourists’ wallets, Bangkok unveils an arsenal of measures to tackle the notorious tuk tuk and taxi overcharging crisis. Amidst a flurry of concerns raised over the fleecing of foreign tourists by tuk tuk and taxi drivers, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken a decisive stand. Permanent Secretary Wanthanee Wattana spearheaded this pivotal moment following…
- Thailand News
Thief nabs 127,000 baht worth of goods from tourists on Koh Samui
A brazen thief from Phuket got more than he bargained for when he attempted a hotel heist on Koh Samui, leaving two foreign tourists in dismay and authorities in hot pursuit. The Bo Phut Police, in a swift operation, apprehended 44 year old Prayat Lisem following reports from a distressed Polish couple, aged 32 and 30. The couple woke to…
- Thailand News
South Korean YouTuber sparks tuk tuk fare controversy in Thailand
South Korean rapper and YouTuber, Il Hong Min, commonly known as Phi Hong, recently aired his dissatisfaction with a tuk tuk service encountered during his visit to Ayutthaya, Thailand. In a video shared on his Oppa Hong channel, he revealed that he was charged 1,200 baht for a four-hour tour, a service he claimed was forcefully sold to him and…
- Thailand News
Krabi national park makes astonishing revenue in tourism boom
In less than four months, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi has become a gold mine, pulling in nearly 300,000,000 baht in entry fees from over 126,000 tourists. This meteoric rise in revenue dwarfs the previous fiscal year’s earnings, ringing in at 276 million baht. National park chief Yutthaphong Damsrisuk noted that the park has witnessed…
- Thailand News
Thailand tourists to get medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht
The Thai government pledged unprecedented medical insurance and compensation packages, promising travellers a worry-free experience. Under the scheme, tourists will receive medical coverage of up to 500,000 baht in case of accidents, along with compensation of up to 1 million baht in the unfortunate event of death. At the campaign launch, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol declared the initiative,…
- Thailand News
Tourist thrill ride: Hanging out of car windows lands travellers in hot water in Phuket
A group of reckless tourists in Karon, Phuket, were caught on video hanging out of a car’s windows on the road on Tuesday afternoon. Karon police confirmed that the tourists were seen engaging in impulsive behaviour at approximately 3pm on January 30. The police tracked down the individuals in question at 5.45pm and took them to the local police station…
- Thailand News
Heroic bus driver’s honesty wins hearts: Returns lost wallets to French couple
A Thai bus driver is breaking the Internet with his virtuous act after returning the wallets of a French couple. Kanta Sridara, the 59 year old driver of Mini Bus No. 44 on the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok route, not only discovered misplaced wallets belonging to French tourists but also promptly returned their lifetime savings, earning praise and admiration across social media. According to…
- Thailand News
Thai food vendor sparks debate after giving free food to foreign backpacker (video)
A Thai food vendor sparked a debate on social media after giving free food to a foreign backpacker in the southern province of Surat Thani. Many netizens hailed the vendor’s gesture while others said the foreign woman just took advantage of Thais’ kindness. The food vendor shared a video of the foreign backpacker eating food at her restaurant on her…
- Thailand News
Tourists survive speedboat crash in Trat
A tourist speedboat crashed into a reef 16 miles off the Laem Thian area on Koh Kut, Trat on January 24. The Trat Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Center (CARDC) dispatched three marine rescue speedboats at 2.30pm to the island with the aid of 12 tourists and three crew members who were stranded. However, at one point the rescue teams…
- Thailand News
Tourists arrested for refusing to pay for beach chairs in Pattaya
Two tourists were arrested by Pattaya police yesterday, January 18, for refusing to pay for beach chairs. According to eyewitnesses, the drama unfolded when the two men, one sporting a shirtless bravado and described as aggressive, attempted to commandeer beach chairs without paying. The eagle-eyed owners promptly reminded them that the coveted chairs came at a cost, igniting a fiery…
- Thailand News
Thailand launches safety initiative to lure back tourists
In a bid to allure international tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out its Thais Always Care project, a beacon of safety and hospitality in the heart of the famed Amazing Thailand campaign. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool unveiled the initiative, underlining its core ethos – the Land of Care. “Thais Always Care is more than just a slogan,…
- Thailand News
Thailand to boost tourism to drive economic growth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is on a mission to stimulate tourism, focusing on boosting revenue in 55 secondary provinces by a staggering 20%, aiming for a grand total of 91 million trips this year. This ambitious goal, however, falls short of the mark for key provinces. For the first nine months of the previous year, the 55 secondary tourism…
- Thailand News
Thailand tourism: 10 provinces elevated to first tier attractions
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has handpicked 10 second-tier provinces to be promoted as first-tier tourist hotspots on December 26. This strategic initiative, concocted in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, is set to revolutionise the tourism landscape. The chosen provinces, brimming with untapped potential, include Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom,…
- Phuket News
Phuket officials to target ‘bad foreigners’ to enhance tourism
The island of Phuket, a popular tourist hotspot, was the stage for a significant meeting yesterday. The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Itthiphon Ittisanronnachai, made a request to Phuket officials to assemble a task force to zero in on bad foreigners, thereby offering the Immigration Bureau the aid they require to tackle the situation.…
- Thailand News
Christmas exodus: Hong Kongers flock abroad, but tourists stay home
‘Tis the season for Hong Kongers to fly out, with a staggering 1.32 million jetting off for the Christmas holidays over the past three days. However, the city’s tourist hotspots are left feeling a bit like a Christmas pudding without the sauce, as inbound visitors lag behind. The numbers tell a tale of two cities: Hong Kong residents embraced the…
- Thailand News
Thai government ditches 300-baht fee for tourists: Massive insurance plan
In a bold move to restore tourist trust, Thailand‘s Tourism and Sports Ministry has abandoned the long-delayed 300-baht tourism fee and is now looking for another type of insurance for tourists. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is spearheading a grand plan to offer a whopping 500,000 baht coverage for injuries and a jaw-dropping 1 million baht in the event of a…
- Thailand News
Honesty prevails: Seafood restaurant staff’s noble act returns lost fortune to tourists
In a heartwarming twist of fate, a group of tourists, seemingly from the Middle East, narrowly escaped a financial catastrophe after leaving behind a bag loaded with 9,275 Dirhams and 105 US Dollars, totalling around 100,000 baht at the renowned Moom Aroi seafood restaurant in the Na Kluea area. On the evening of December 13, two women and two men…
- Business News
Thailand’s tourism authority plans strategy revamp to boost visitor spending
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting its sights on revamping its strategies to rejuvenate tourist spending, which has experienced a notable decline since the onset of the pandemic. Foreign tourists’ expenditure has dipped from an average of 50,000 baht to 42,000 baht. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday urged TAT executives and domestic offices to reignite tourism expenditure. He…
