international tourism
- Thailand News
Expats: New Thai visas make elite status obsolete
Longstay expats are in uproar as Thailand’s new visa policies render their costly long-term options nearly worthless. The introduction of a 60-day visa-exempt policy and the 180-day Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has left many feeling shortchanged. Geoffrey Fisher, a Brit who recently forked out 900,000 baht (approximately £20,000) for a five-year Elite visa, lamented, “I’ve wasted my money as more…
- Tourism News
Agoda prepares for tourist boom in India as report shows growing interest from Thais
Multinational travel agency Agoda is preparing for increased tourism in India, as Thais have shown a growing interest in travelling to the country. Agoda, according to data from their digital platform, has observed a 16% increase in searches from Thailand looking for accommodation in India. This growth in search volume comes days after the Indian government announced they would waive…
- Thailand News
Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
- Business News
Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
- Thailand News
Ministry seeks 1billion baht tourism budget for new routes
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to request a 1 billion baht budget from the central emergency reserve fund to develop new tourism routes linking major cities to 55 notable destinations in a move to establish long-term tourism strategies. The proposed budget aims not only to organise events but to also develop new tourism routes and enhance infrastructure. Specifically,…
- Thailand News
Pattaya mayor’s big bet on Irish tourism
In a significant push to boost international tourism, Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed H.E. Patrick Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Thailand, and his delegation. The high-profile visit centred on strengthening tourism ties and introducing measures to support Irish tourists in Pattaya. During the meeting, Mayor Poramet expressed his delight and honour in hosting Irish ambassador Bourne. Poramet emphasised…
- Thailand News
World Tourism Council: Innovative strategies to combat overtourism
Tourism is in crisis as overtourism sparks protests and unrest across the globe. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has a plan to turn the tide, urging cooperation between businesses and local communities to manage the influx of visitors. As travel demand skyrockets post-pandemic, locals in several countries are pushing back, calling for measures to control the surge of…
- Thailand News
Thailand takes flight with airlines to boost tourism in 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is soaring to new heights, actively courting partnerships with a sky-high count of 11 international airlines to elevate both burgeoning and established markets in the latter part of this year. With the long-haul market expected to fly in at least 770 billion baht from a soaring flock of 10.8 million foreign visitors in 2024,…
- Thailand News
Tourism boom: Thailand clocks in 14.3 million visitors
Thailand welcomed 14.3 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, generating close to 683 billion baht (US$18.7 billion) in revenue. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, shared these figures, highlighting the significant contribution of foreign visitors to the country’s economy from January 1 to May 26. The top five countries with the highest number of…
- Thailand News
Staycation and Sleep Tourism: The new travel trend
Two new tourism trends, staycation and Sleep Tourism, are taking the travel world by storm, according to an online travel platform. Staycation involves short trips to nearby provinces, with an emphasis on enjoying the hotel’s amenities like swimming pools, cycling, and spa treatments. Sleep Tourism, on the other hand, is all about travelling to unwind and recharge, prioritising sleep and…
- Guides
Top profitable business opportunities booming in Thailand
For individuals possessing a profound interest in the dynamic sphere of business startups, especially within the entrepreneurial landscape of Thailand, this article serves as a vital resource. Thailand surpasses its image as a haven for beach enthusiasts, establishing itself as a hub of creativity and innovation. Within this context, a diverse range of startups is thriving—from pioneers in technology to…
- Thailand News
Songkran festival boosts Thailand’s tourism with 140 billion baht
This year’s Songkran festival, spanning over three weeks, spurred a remarkable 140 billion baht influx into Thailand’s tourism sector, surpassing the anticipated 132 billion baht. Foreign tourist arrivals soared to a hefty 1.9 million amidst the celebrations, divulged the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The festival, running from April 1 to April 21, witnessed multiple sectors cashing in on the festive…
- Thailand News
Vietnam’s tourism website triumphs over Thailand
Vietnam’s national tourism promotion website, vietnam.travel, has emerged victorious, outshining Thailand’s counterpart and climbing above numerous regional competitors. According to March rankings by the prestigious website rating platform SimilarWeb, vietnam.travel seized the impressive spot of #132,676 globally, overtaking Thailand’s travel hub ranked at #136,108. The Philippines trails at #808,295 and Malaysia lags at #881,886 in its wake. The triumph doesn’t…
- Thailand News
Dark history to exotic delights: Cambodia and Thailand tourist strategy
In the race for international tourist supremacy, Thailand and Cambodia are deploying contrasting tactics. While Thai PM Srettha Thavisin opts for traditional methods, Cambodia is embracing a darker approach, urging visitors to explore its tragic past. Cambodia’s tourist authority has revamped facilities at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, sites synonymous with the horrors of…
- Visa Information
Ultimate guide to apply for a Schengen visa from Thailand
Greetings to all aspirational travellers! For those who have envisioned themselves meandering through the quaint streets of Paris, uncovering the ancient marvels of Rome, or engaging in the vibrant markets of Barcelona, procuring a Schengen Visa ought to be prioritized on your agenda. To Thai citizens harbouring a profound desire for European explorations and with aspirations set on these adventures,…
- Thailand News
Thailand considers scrapping arrival cards for Malaysian tourists
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced today the potential removal of the necessity for Malaysian tourists to complete arrival and departure cards at primary border crossings, aimed at promoting tourism and business growth. Currently, all visitors arriving via the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, regardless of nationality, are waived from the requirement to fill out the Tor Mor 6 (TM 6) cards.…
- Thailand News
Visa applications in Thailand surge, overtaking pre-Covid figures
Visa applications from Thailand have surged, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Visa application volumes from Thailand, after a turbulent spell, are on the brink of eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, signalling a remarkable recovery in global travel confidence. A 35% increase in applications last year compared to 2022 promises a boost to international tourism. Key points: Visa applications rebounded with a 35% surge…
- World News
Vietnamese village brings incense stick tradition to social media
In the quaint Incense Village of Quang Phu Cau, nestled in the northern part of Vietnam, a vibrant transformation is underway. Dang Thi Hoa, a seasoned artisan with three decades of incense stick craftsmanship, finds herself not just steeped in tradition but riding the wave of Instagram fervour. Lunar New Year, locally known as Tet, has taken on a whole…
- Thailand News
Thai passport holders visa waiver with China boosts tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the imminent signing of a visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China. The deal, to be sealed on Friday during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Thailand, promises to liberate citizens from both nations to explore each other’s territories freely, igniting a tourism revolution. Addressing the crowd at the Thailand 2024 – The…
- Thailand News
Cable car project causes concerns of potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng
Concerns have been voiced by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation over potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, as a result of plans to revive a long-debated cable car project. The foundation, while assured that modern construction techniques can minimise environmental and wildlife disruption, is apprehensive about the park’s capacity to handle an influx of tourists. Ornyupa Sangkamarn, the…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul
Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to start direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul on December 1, marking a significant expansion of its international flight network. The announcement was officially made in a recent launch ceremony, presided over by the Chairperson of THAI Plan Administrators, Piyasvasti Amranand, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Thailand, Serap Ersoy. The…
- Tourism News
Thailand targets long-haul tourists with new US, Saudi Arabia offices
In an effort to boost tourists visiting, Thailand‘s government will be establishing additional tourism offices in the United States and Saudi Arabia, stated the deputy spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek. The proposition comes as part of a refreshed approach to meet international market demands, as directed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is now concentrating on attracting…
- Tourism News
TAT and EVA Air sign LOI to jointly promote Thai tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and EVA Airways Corporation signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to cooperate in the promotion of Thailand’s tourism for the mutual benefit of the two parties, which will see EVA Air’s global route network used to boost visitor numbers from key worldwide markets to the kingdom. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said… “Together, TAT and…
- Tourism News
Dramatic leap in tourism to Thailand rakes in 1.08 trillion baht
Exceeding expectations and the grim shadow of the previous year, the tourist influx to Thailand recorded a dramatic leap in the first half of 2023. From January to the end of July, over 15 million people travelled in Thailand, marking an increase in tourism to Thailand of 384% in comparison to the same period in the prior year, according to…
- World News
Asian international tourism slower than other regions
While tourism in Thailand is picking up, Southeast Asia has seen a much slower rate of return for international travellers than other parts of the world. Many popular holiday areas in Europe have seen a full recovery, and even record-breaking numbers in some. But Asia lags, flummoxed by the slow lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Thailand began reopening efforts over a…
- Tourism News
Tourism Authority of Thailand: 18 million tourists in 2023
After arriving tourist numbers crossed seven million last month, inching toward the goal of 10 million for the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is making middle-of-the-road projections for 2023. While they don’t believe that Thailand will see anything like the 40 million tourists per year they saw before Covid, the TAT is estimating 18 million international arrivals next…
- Tourism News
BKK Airport reports increase in flights after Thailand Pass nixed
Since the elimination of the Thailand Pass complicating entry into Thailand, flights and passengers have increased at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport by about 10% on average. July 1 saw the lifting of travel restrictions, including the need to apply in advance for a Thailand Pass, which the government touted as opening the floodgates to a surge of international travellers, predicting 3…
- Tourism News
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand advises airlines of new entry rules effective today
International airlines have been issued with a notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, advising them of revised rules for entry to the kingdom from today. CAAT chief, Suttipong Kongpool, says all international airlines serving Thailand are required to screen and categorise passengers into 3 groups. The first group is the fully vaccinated passengers, who, if suspected of having…
- Economy News
Foreign arrivals in April show things are looking up for tourism, the economy
Things are looking up for the Thai economy, thanks to an increase in foreign and domestic tourism in April, according to the Bank of Thailand. The Bangkok Post also reports a year-on-year increase in consumer spending during the month of April. The easing of travel restrictions has brought more foreign tourists to the kingdom, with numbers up from 210,836 in…
- Tourism News
Thai government expects 1 million tourists per month by the end of the year
The Thai government has refuted the opposition’s claim that it is ignoring the plight of the country’s tourism sector. According to a Nation Thailand report, spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the government’s decision to cancel Test & Go has revived the tourism industry, with around 20,000 foreign arrivals now entering the kingdom each day. Thanakorn adds that if this trend continues,…
