international tourism
- Thailand News
Thai beauty influencer named first Phuket tourism ambassador
Thai social media influencer, Sasisom Phadungkingtrakul, also known as Mook, has made history as she takes on the role of the first-ever Phuket Tourism Ambassador of Thailand. The accolade, awarded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Amazing Thailand initiative, designates Sasisom as the island’s cultural and promotional representative until the end of 2025. The announcement was made…
- Thailand News
High ambitions: Suvarnabhumi aims to triple transit traffic by 2030
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s busiest international gateway, is gearing up for a major transformation to become Southeast Asia’s ultimate transit hub. Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the airport’s transit flights from a mere 4% to a soaring 20% as part of an ambitious master plan to rank among the world’s top 20 airports by 2030. This bold goal is…
- Thailand News
Suvarnabhumi Airport to offer early check-in by February
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is…
- Thailand News
Pattaya lights up: Giant 3D screen draws crowds
Walking Street in South Pattaya just turned up the heat on its nightlife scene, and tourists are lapping it up. On Saturday night, November 9, the city’s iconic strip of bars, clubs, and neon lights added a high-tech twist—a gigantic 3D LED screen that has quickly become the area’s newest magnet for visitors. Crowds of both local and international tourists…
- Business News
Hong Kong urged to innovate for tourist spending boost
Hong Kong businesses need to innovate to attract tourist spending, rather than focusing on the decline in visitor expenditure, a senior official has advised. Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, highlighted yesterday, October 20, that tourists are still eager to spend but have heightened expectations. “We cannot just complain about why people aren’t spending money. It’s not that…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Koh Chang is world’s second-best tropical destination
Thailand celebrates as Koh Chang is named second-best tropical holiday destination in the world by Travel + Leisure. The announcement was made by Neramit Songsang, head of the Mu Ko Chang National Park in Trat province. Koh Chang, often referred to as the Gem of the Gulf of Thailand, achieved this prestigious ranking alongside other notable destinations in Southeast Asia,…
- Phuket News
Phuket Airport ramps up for 18 million passengers by 2025
Phuket International Airport is gearing up for a major overhaul as it plans to handle a whopping 18 million passengers by 2025. Airports of Thailand (AoT) is fast-tracking Phase 2 of its expansion, boosting flight capacity from 20 to 25 flights per hour to keep up with the influx of tourists. Airport director Monchai Tanod revealed that the airport currently…
- Tourism News
Banyan Tree Samui scoops trio of top awards
In a dazzling display of luxury, Banyan Tree Samui in southern Thailand is basking in the glow of three major international awards—all in just one week. This exclusive beachfront resort has proven it’s not just a tropical paradise, but a world-class destination that knows how to make waves in the luxury travel industry. First up, the prestigious Michelin Guide, which…
- Thailand News
Visa-free travel: Indonesia opens doors to 13 countries
Indonesia is rolling out the red carpet for citizens of 13 countries, with its latest visa-free travel policy set to shake up tourism and economic development. Announced in Presidential Regulation No. 95 of 2024, which was formally ratified on August 29, this groundbreaking move targets 11 of Indonesia’s Asian neighbours, alongside Colombia and Suriname. The lucky 13 nations—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok named fourth friendliest city in the world for 2024
Bangkok has been named the fourth friendliest city in the world in 2024, according to Condé Nast Traveller. The travel magazine, known for its focus on luxury and independent travel, announced its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, highlighting the 10 friendliest cities as voted by travellers worldwide. Singapore topped the list with a score of 94.84. Known for its financial hubs,…
- Thailand News
Thailand climbs the global ranks: 28th best country in the world
Thailand secured its spot as one of the world’s best places to live, work, and explore, leaping up one place to 28th in the US News & World Report’s 2024 Best Countries in the World ranking. This comes as the country continues to shine globally for its rich heritage, booming industries, and irresistible tourism appeal. The list, compiled in collaboration…
- Tourism News
Thailand races to attract 10 million more tourists before year-end
Thailand is pulling out all the stops to reclaim its crown as a world-class tourism destination. In a high-profile meeting yesterday, October 3, at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, the Tourism and Sports Ministry, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), unveiled their ambitious plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles. With representatives from TAT’s 74 domestic…
- Tourism News
Thailand welcomes 26 million tourists, earns 1.214 trillion baht
Thailand welcomed over 26 million international tourists from January 1 to yesterday, October 1, generating an impressive 1.214 trillion baht in revenue. Sorawong Thienthong, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, confirmed these figures, underscoring the nation’s strong recovery as a premier global travel destination. Among the top contributing countries, China led with 5,227,573 tourists, followed by Malaysia with 3,734,847, India…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s top hotels get the Michelin treatment
The Michelin Guide has just upped the ante in Thailand’s luxury hotel game, unveiling the first-ever “Key” ratings for 58 of the country’s most outstanding hotels. If you thought Michelin was all about fine dining, think again. Now, the world-renowned guide is here to tell you where to stay too. After four years of revamping its hotel selection process, Michelin…
- Thailand News
93 countries including Singapore will require ETA for Thai entry
Soon, Singaporeans and travellers from 92 other visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before their trip to the Land of Smiles. Reports suggest a pilot programme might kick off in December, with full implementation expected by June 2025. However, The Straits Times has learned that the exact launch date is still up in the…
- Thailand News
Thailand launches halal app to boost Muslim tourism
Muslim tourists in Thailand can now explore the country without a hitch, thanks to the newly launched Halal Route app. Developed by the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, this game-changing app offers a comprehensive guide to halal-friendly restaurants, hotels, mosques, and even prayer locations. As Islamic tourism booms globally, with a predicted 168 million Muslim tourists this year, Thailand…
- Bangkok News
World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show
Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards. The British media giant, known for its high standards, placed the luxurious Thai retreat at the top of its 2024 list, beating fierce global competition. This award comes after The Telegraph’s hotel and destination…
- Thailand News
Pattaya City officials invited to China’s Hunan for strengthened ties
Pattaya City officials received a visit from the Vice Governor of Hunan province in China, accompanied by a delegation. They extended an invitation for Pattaya officials to visit Hunan province, aiming to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between Thai and Chinese communities. The initiative seeks to promote shared prosperity through cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, science and technology, culture, education,…
- Phuket News
Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
- 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…
- 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
South Korea’s tourism boom leaves Thailand in the dust
South Korea witnessed a staggering 87% surge in foreign arrivals this year but Thai visitors tell a different story. According to recent data from the Korea Tourism Organisation, arrivals from Thailand have plummeted by over 21% from last year, totalling just 119,000 visitors from January to April. The decline has raised eyebrows across the tourism industry, with experts pointing fingers…
- 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
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
Bangkok Airways, SO/ Maldives eye growth in tourism boom
Bangkok Airways and luxury resort SO/ Maldives are optimistic about expanding their business in the Maldives, a popular destination among Thai tourists. The Maldives achieved a significant milestone in tourism last year, welcoming over 1.8 million visitors, the highest number in a year, according to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corp. Bangkok Airways resumed flights to the Maldives in…
- 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…
- 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…
