international tourists

  • Thailand News

    Tourists banned from Kyoto’s Geisha District

    In a bold move to protect Kyoto’s iconic geisha from relentless harassment by tourists, the local council in Gion has decided to ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets. The decision comes after a surge in appalling incidents where traditional entertainers found themselves accosted and disrespected by unruly visitors. This move marks the latest effort to safeguard the revered geisha…

  • Business News

    Thailand targets 35 million international tourists

    The Tourism and Sports Ministry of Thailand is optimistic about its ability to attract 35 million international tourists this year. This confidence stems from the fact that in the first month of the year alone, the country recorded three million foreign visitors. The encouraging figure was aided by daily arrivals exceeding 90,000 on weekdays and 100,000 during the weekends in…

  • Thailand News

    European tourists decline by 50% in Koh Kut amid global tensions

    A drastic 50% drop in the number of European tourists visiting the Koh Kut district in Trat has been witnessed this year, as reported by the chairman of the Koh Kut administrative organisation. The chairman, who also operates a resort on the island, revealed that around 160,000 to 170,000 tourists visited the district last year, contributing to a revenue of…

  • Thailand News

    Traffy fondue: Phuket launches English app to assist foreigners

    An English language-enabled version of the Traffy Fondue application has been launched by the provincial office of Phuket, Thailand. This platform has been developed to assist foreign visitors in airing their grievances about local environmental conditions and public services. The Phuket Governor, Narong Woonciew, announced yesterday that the application has been well-received by residents seeking an expedited resolution to common…

  • Tourism News

    Thailand aims to be top Muslim tourism destination within 5 years

    Thailand is projected to emerge as a principal destination for international Muslim tourists within the next half-decade. The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, put forth this intent to lure more Muslim travellers, citing their rising numbers and increased spending capacity. She noted, during her Friday announcement, that Muslim tourists comprised a major segment of Thailand’s tourism industry. An impressive surge…

  • Pattaya News

    Thai tourism boost: 25.8 million Asian tourists expected in 2024

    In a bid to breathe fresh life into the Thai tourism sector in 2024, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to attract an impressive tally of 25.8 million tourists. The focus is on visitors from geographically proximate Asian and South Pacific countries categorised as short-haul markets, shared Thanet Petchsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor. This quota forms a significant portion, 74%…

  • Business News

    Japanese tourism numbers in Thailand threatened by weak yen and slow Japan flight reintroduction

    In light of Japan’s hesitant return to tourism and a faltering yen, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) admitted there may be difficulty in meeting the year’s target of 850,000 Japanese arrivals. The figure reflects 50% of the Japanese tourism figures reported in 2019, considered an optimistic scenario by the Tokyo office director of TAT, Kajorndet Apichartrakul. As enclosed by Kajorndet, the…

  • Economy News

    Thailand tourism thrives as it ranks second in global travel, Bangkok tops city list

    Thailand tourism continues to thrive, as online travel platform Agoda recently revealed that the country holds the title of the second most popular destination for travellers worldwide, with Bangkok topping the list of favourite cities for global travellers. The ranking came from an analysis of booking data collected from January to May of the current year, shared by government spokesman…

  • Tourism News

    Chinese tourists may bring growing pains to the Thai travel industry

    While people in the tourism and entertainment sector are celebrating China’s announcement to reopen and allow outgoing travel, others have raised fears about the potential problems that could come with an influx of Chinese tourists. Some fear an overwhelming surge of Chinese tourists flooding Thailand’s hotspots. Others worry that the healthcare systems in Thailand could be overburdened by the influx…

  • Tourism News

    Thai PM endorses India travel bubble in bid to boost international tourism

    A travel bubble arrangement between Thailand and India has received the backing of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, as officials look to revive foreign tourism in the kingdom. The Bangkok Post reports that government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the travel pact between the 2 countries has also been endorsed by Thailand’s public and private sectors. In the pre-Covid days, Thailand welcomed nearly…

  • Covid-19 News

    Indian tourists who left Chon Buri before receiving positive test result found in Bangkok

    Like wanted criminals, the mugshots of two Indian travellers were posted on a graphic released by the Chon Buri Health Department. Why? Because they tested positive for Covid-19. And after a search highly publicised in Thai media, the 30 year old and 32 year old were found in Bangkok. The two travellers entered Thailand through the Test & Go quarantine…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism industry aims for improvement over Sandbox for reopening

    Thailand’s battered tourism industry is making final preparations for the big November 1 reopening with high hopes of welcoming back international travellers across Thailand. On November 1, the country will reopen with still somewhat convoluted 3 entry options and quarantine-free travel for arrivals from 46 low-risk countries. The Phuket Sandbox, with nearly 58,000 arrivals from July 1, has been viewed…

  • Covid-19 News

    Health Ministry says Delta Plus variant won’t stop Thailand re-opening on schedule

    The Health Ministry says the discovery of the new Delta Plus variant in Thailand will not affect the country’s November 1 re-opening. Sathit Pitutecha, deputy public health minister, says the mutation has not been categorised as a variant of concern. “Because viruses mutate all the time, only a mutation that causes severe illness and makes the virus spread easier or…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism officials push for resumption of Russia flights in last quarter

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand says it’s essential that commercial flights between Russia and Thailand be allowed to resume during the last quarter of the year. However, under Thailand’s emergency decree, international flights can only operate as semi-commercial, with limited seat capacity. Khanittha Phanworawat from the TAT’s Moscow office says this means the Russian aviation authority is still not allowing…

  • Hua Hin News

    Hua Hin opts for quarantine-free re-opening, similar to Phuket sandbox

    The head of Hua Hin Recharge, which aims to re-open the popular tourist spot from October 1, says the programme will be similar to the Phuket sandbox scheme. Krod Rojanastien adds that he’s confident Hua Hin can achieve the required herd immunity in time. The Bangkok Post reports that as of yesterday, 55% of Hua Hin’s 90,564 residents have been…

  • Tourism News

    Phuket tourists rescued after being caught 3 kilometres off-shore while kayaking

    Phuket Tourist Police have rescued a Dutch couple who became trapped 3 kilometres off-shore while kayaking. The Pattaya News reports that strong waves meant the couple, who are on the island as part of the sandbox scheme, were unable to paddle back to shore. The incident happened around 1.30pm yesterday, with police responding to a report of the couple’s plight.…

  • Hua Hin News

    Hua Hin aims to vaccinate 70% of local residents in time for October re-opening

    Tourism officials in Hua Hin say the vaccination of local residents will be ramped up to ensure a planned October re-opening can go ahead. Krot Rotchanasathian from the Hua Hin Recharge project says the plan is to inoculate at least 70% of local residents, and 100% of those in the tourism sector. He adds that at this stage, over 30%…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket officials identify “risky” tourist spots following holidaymaker’s murder

    Following the murder of a Swiss tourist at an isolated waterfall on the island of Phuket last week, officials have been busy identifying other potential danger spots. Nation Thailand reports that the Phuket sandbox command centre has named 6 locations that could pose a risk to tourists. Provincial governor Narong Woonciew has called on local authorities to tighten security at…

  • Tourism News

    Q3 tourism hopes fade as US advises citizens not to travel to Thailand

    Hopes are fading for a tourism revival in the third quarter of this year after the US government cautioned its citizens against unnecessary travel to Thailand. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has added Thailand to its Level 4 countries, the highest-level warning, as a result of the rising Covid-19 infections in the Kingdom. The Bangkok Post reports that…

  • Phuket News

    Over 14,000 foreign tourists avail of Phuket sandbox scheme during first month

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand reports that Phuket welcomed over 14,000 foreign tourists, generating an estimated 829 million baht, during the first month of the island’s sandbox scheme. The Phuket sandbox was launched on July 1, allowing vaccinated foreign tourists from low-risk countries to visit the island without quarantine. Participants are required to stay in approved hotels and remain on…

  • Koh Samui News

    Koh Samui hopes to attract 2,000 tourists in first month of re-opening

    The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui is paying great attention to how the Phuket sandbox scheme unfolds and hoping it succeeds. According to a Bangkok Post report, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee says the Samui Plus scheme could attract 2,000 guests in its first month if some rules can be eased. “Besides the virus situation on our islands and the…

  • Pattaya News

    Pattaya tourism operators not getting their hopes up over foreign arrivals

    Tourism operators in Pattaya are not holding out much hope of a mass return of foreign arrivals in the first few months after re-opening. Pattaya has been chosen as the first non-island location to re-open to vaccinated foreign tourists, but operators fear the constant indecision and changes to regulations will have a negative impact. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi from the Chon Buri…

  • Koh Samui News

    Samui tourism official calls for inter-provincial travel ban to flatten the curve prior to July re-opening

    The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui says the island is still pinning its hopes on a July 1 re-opening for vaccinated foreign tourists. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee remains optimistic, despite Thailand now battling a third wave of Covid-19, with Samui reporting 50 infections. He says vaccines are being rolled out out on Samui, although a number of doses have…

  • Hua Hin News

    Hua Hin to submit October re-opening plan for government approval

    The seaside town of Hua Hin, on the Gulf of Thailand, is working on a proposal to welcome vaccinated foreign tourists from October. Krod Rojanastien, from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, says the Hua Hin Recharge campaign aims to include the resort town in the government’s re-opening plan. He says the area has already earned a reputation for wellness holidays…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism officials revise revenue forecast, insist Phuket will re-open on schedule

    The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand admits it may need to revise its 2021 revenue forecast, but insists the Phuket “sandbox” project is still going ahead – and on time too. Yuthasak Supasorn says tourism officials will set a new revenue target, for both domestic and international tourists, as Thailand battles with a third wave of Covid-19. In…

  • Tourism News

    Vaccinated foreign tourists may be offered free flights to boost inter-provincial travel

    The Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, says vaccinated foreign tourists may be offered free domestic flights during their holiday in order to boost inter-provincial travel. The proposal comes after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand called for 40,000 vaccine doses to protect airline employees. “From July 1, inoculated tourists exempt from quarantine might be tempted to extend their stay…

  • Bangkok News

    Tourism officials push to add Bangkok to “sandbox” travel scheme

    Tourism officials are calling for Bangkok to be included in the new “sandbox” travel scheme which will allow foreign visitors who are vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel to specific tourist destinations that have reached herd immunity. Phuket and Koh Samui are set to reopen under the model in July. Tourism officials are now pushing for Bangkok to reopen under the…

  • Covid-19 News

    CCSA to decide Songkran rules today

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the government’s Covid-19 task force will meet today to decide what this year’s Songkran celebrations will look like. While a ban on inter-provincial travel is not expected, Anutin Charnvirakul says provincial governors will impose health screening protocols on those moving between provinces. “We are now on the last lap. Covid-19 vaccines have already arrived and…

  • Covid-19 News

    PM says Thailand will consider lifting quarantine for vaccinated tourists

    The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha says the government will consider waiving the mandatory 14-day quarantine for tourists with proof of Covid-19 vaccination. For months now, the government has stuck to its stance that vaccinated foreign arrivals would still need to be quarantined, given that it’s too early to say if vaccines prevent transmission. But with industry leaders warning that the…

  • Tourism News

    Bangkok and Phuket in top 15 list of places people most want to visit when travel re-opens

    The Thai capital, Bangkok, and the southern island of Phuket have come in at number 8 and number 14 respectively, in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021. The awards list the most popular worldwide destinations prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and the places people most want to return to once travel opens up again. According to a press release from the…

  • Phuket News

    Officials brainstorm ideas to revive Phuket tourism

    Government officials and business representatives on the resort island of Phuket have been busy brainstorming various proposals to revive tourism, with many calling for quarantine requirements to be waived for vaccinated foreigners. The Bangkok Post reports that Bhummikitti Raktaengam from the Phuket Tourism Association says foreign tourists who can prove they’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19 should be allowed to enter…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket aims to vaccinate 70% of population, re-open to foreign tourists by October

    Phuket is going it alone as it eyes herd immunity as the only lifeline for its devastated tourism industry. Business groups on the southern resort island have announced a plan to finance the vaccination of 70% of the island’s population, in the hope of being able to open to foreign tourists from October. The groups involved, which include the Phuket…

  • Tourism News

    Thailand to introduce 300 baht “tourism fee” to insure foreign visitors, manage tourist destinations

    Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has confirmed a proposal to charge foreign tourists a fee of 300 baht per visit. The fee will be used to develop tourist destinations as well as providing visitors with insurance benefits while in the Kingdom. The proposal has been approved by the National Tourism Policy Committee and is set to be announced in the…

  • Covid-19 News

    Health Ministry teams up with Agoda to offer quarantine hotel packages

    Anyone planning a visit or a return to Thailand can now book their quarantine stay through Agoda, following a deal between the Public Health Ministry and the hotel booking platform. Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutecha announced the agreement yesterday, at a launch event at the Mövenpick Hotel BDMS Wellness Resort in Bangkok, in the company of Tares Krassanairawiwong from…

  • Tourism News

    Former WTO director cautions against re-opening Thailand too quickly

    The former director general of the World Trade Organisation has issued a caution against Thailand throwing open its borders too early. Supachai Panitchpakdi says Covid-19 is still very much a threat, pointing to other countries that appear trapped in a cycle of easing restrictions, followed by renewed lockdowns. His comments come as England emerges from a national lockdown, only for…

  • Tourism News

    Some Thai embassies dropping 500,000 baht requirement for 60 day tourist visa

    Reports are circulating on social media that some Thai embassies are no longer insisting on proof of funds of 500,000 baht for a 60 day tourist visa (not to be confused with the Special Tourist Visa). According to a report in the Pattaya News, posts in various social media groups dedicated to the 60 day tourist visa, would indicate that…

  • Phuket News

    Academics call on government to hurry up and help the tourism industry

    Leading Thai academics are calling on the government to get a move on and help the tourism industry before it’s too late. Addressing a gathering arranged by the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion, Kiriya Kulkolkran from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics, pointed to the 80% drop in international tourism as a result of the Covid-19 fallout. His estimate includes…