Thai tourism

  • Business News

    Thai tourism federation calls for urgent supply development

    The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has revealed its intention to present an urgent demand for supply development to the government. The appeal is due to a rising demand that is overburdening the existing infrastructure. This was disclosed by FETTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon. Adith explained that while the government has been keen on stimulating demand by granting visa exemptions…

  • Business News

    Thailand targets diverse travel groups to boost tourism revenue

    Thailand‘s aim of generating 3.5 trillion baht (US$97 billion) in tourism revenue this year requires a broader appeal beyond just leisure travellers to be competitive with other destinations, as per Dusit International. Suphajee Suthumpun, the CEO of Dusit Group, pointed out that while the new visa-free scheme is likely to ease travel, it alone would not suffice to boost revenue.…

  • Thailand News

    Thai Cabinet grants 300 million baht for northern provinces

    A significant financial boost of 300 million baht (US$8.3 million) has been granted by the Thai Cabinet for the development of 13 projects aimed at tourism growth across four northern provinces; Phayao, Chiang Rai, Phrae, and Nan. The decision was made during a mobile meeting in Phayao, overseen by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his two-day visit to the region.…

  • Press Room

    THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2024 exceeds expectations, unveiling the future of HORECA

    Surpassing all expectations, the future of HORECA emerged at THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2024. The innovations shaping the sector, and those with excellence set to elevate standards in hospitality, were showcased at the show. In emphasising innovation, sustainability, and excellence, THAIFEX – HOREC Asia thrilled participants last week, attracting higher than anticipated attendance. Co-organised by the Department of International Trade…

  • Tourism News

    Tasty travels: Thai SELECT campaign spices up tourism

    The Travel, Taste, Eat Thai SELECT campaign, a collaboration between the Commerce Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has been unveiled. This initiative is part of a soft power strategy aimed at promoting and bolstering Thai businesses, particularly certified Thai SELECT restaurants. The Deputy Commerce Minister, Napintorn Srisunpang, emphasised that the campaign is designed to ensure these establishments meet…

  • Tourism News

    Visa-free policies boost international travel and economies

    The international travel industry experienced a significant rebound last year, following the implementation of visa-free policies by various governments. These policies aimed to rejuvenate their ailing economies through the influx of spending by foreign tourists. Thailand, for instance, witnessed 28 million arrivals in 2023 largely due to the strong performance in the last quarter. This surge was precipitated by visa…

  • Business News

    Thai industrial sentiment dips despite tourism boost

    The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported a minor dip in the industrial sentiment index for February, which fell to 90.0 from 90.6 in the preceding month. This decline was attributed to a slowdown in both domestic demand and exports, despite a boost from the tourism sector. The FTI revealed that household concerns over high living costs and debt issues…

  • Business News

    Thailand’s visa exemption sparks rise in travel bookings to China

    The visa exemption agreement between Thailand and China has sparked a significant rise in bookings from Thai travellers. During the Songkran holiday through May, airlines and tour operators noted an uptick in Thai passengers on some routes outnumbering their Chinese counterparts. Chotechuang Soorangura, Vice President of the Thai Travel Agents Association, highlighted the robust sales of tour packages to China…

  • Business News

    Illegal migrant labour and sex work challenge Thailand’s tourism

    Migrant workers, who have illegally entered Thailand by taking advantage of visa-free privileges, continue to pose a challenge in the country’s tourism sector, particularly within the sex industry. This issue has led to calls from operators for the government to legalise sex work. A recent confrontation between Filipino transgender women and their Thai counterparts in Soi Sukhumvit 11, Bangkok, has…

  • Thailand News

    Thai govt’s plan to transform southern provinces into tourist hub

    The Thai government has committed to transforming the country’s three southernmost provinces into global tourist attractions and increasing investment in this region. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gave this assurance during a three-day visit to Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala which concluded yesterday. According to the 62 year old Thai prime minister, the southernmost provinces possess the potential to rise as the…

  • Business News

    Thailand’s tourism industry calls for eased travel restrictions

    Faced with intense competition from fellow Southeast Asian countries, Thailand’s tourism industry called on the government to ease travel restrictions and promote cross-border travel. The appeal comes as Malaysia is seen to be catching up with Thailand’s tourism numbers. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a tour of three southern provinces to boost both trade and tourism.…

  • Tourism News

    Thailand explores long-term visa-free scheme with India

    Tourism authorities in Thailand are pushing for a long-term reciprocal visa-free scheme with India, projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. Somsong Sachaphimukh, the vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, highlighted the positive impact of the current temporary visa exemption for India, which has accelerated the Indian market’s growth. As of February 18, the Indian market…

  • Business News

    Thailand optimises on Kazakhstan’s tourism and trade potential

    Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand, Jakkapong Sangmanee, emphasised the government’s optimism about enhanced tourism and trade between Thailand and Kazakhstan. This follows the forthcoming signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in April. Sangmanee, accompanied by the Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, led a delegation of Thai investors to Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, and its largest city, Almaty. During their…

  • Thailand News

    Thai aviation set for turbulence as CAAT navigates high air fares

    Transport Minister Suriya Juangruangreangkit disclosed on Wednesday that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is in active discussions with all six domestic airlines in Thailand. The aim is to increase flight frequency during holiday periods and lower the flight price ceiling, in response to the issue of excessively high fares. The CAAT convened a meeting on Tuesday with the…

  • Business News

    Bangkok airport battles congestion with tech amid tourism recovery

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand’s busiest, is facing daily traffic congestion as vehicles compete for parking spaces. The problem is compounded by long queues at immigration and baggage claim areas due to inoperative kiosks and staff shortages. Tourist complaints prompted an unannounced visit from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has since ordered airport authorities to quicken procedures to under…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand plans visa-free travel expansion to stimulate tourism

    Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed the government’s intent to extend visa-free travel to citizens of several additional countries. This development follows Thailand’s recent decision to waive visas for Chinese and Indian citizens, an attempt to stimulate the tourism sector, a vital component of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. During Wednesday’s meeting at Government House, PM Srettha and Australia’s Governor-General, David…

  • Tourism News

    Thailand allocates 50 million baht for foreign tourist insurance

    The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has allocated a budget of 50 million baht (US$1.38) for the fiscal year of 2024 to financially aid foreign tourists in the event of accidents or death. The ministry stated that this amount is likely to cover its expected influx of 35 million foreign visitors this year, in accordance with the average annual claims…

  • Business News

    CRC projects 9-11% revenue growth driven by tourism boost

    Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is expecting revenue growth of 9-11% in 2024, with the primary drivers being a resurgence in tourism and increased consumption. However, concerns have been raised about a potential influx of inexpensive imported goods. Yol Phokasub, CRC’s chief executive, articulated that despite the sluggish economic growth, the overall spending confidence in Thailand remains above average for the…

  • Tourism News

    Trip.com foresees significant rise in Thailand tourism expenditure

    On February 8, Bangkok bore witness to a revelation from Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider. The data released by the company predicts a notable increase in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings in Thailand. A substantial uptick of 44.3% has been projected for this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period compared to the CNY period in…

  • Tourism News

    Thai tourism index for Q4 2023 signals risk of deflation

    The Tourism Council of Thailand’s (TCT) quarterly index has reported a lower-than-normal confidence level for the fourth quarter of 2023, signalling concerns among operators about the risk of deflation and delayed fiscal budget disbursement. The Thai tourism index for the last quarter of the year scored 77, with 100 being the average; this is an increase from the third quarter’s…

  • Technology News

    How the Apple Vision Pro will affect Thailand?

    The much-loved tech legend Steve Jobs himself and the Apple team spent more than 16 years developing the Apple Vision Pro, unveiled on February 2, 2024, based on an iPod pattern concept. The device has gained recognition as Apple’s first foray into “Spatial Computing.” Despite its early success with many exceptional features that set Apple apart from opponents, the Apple…

  • 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…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket airport gears up for Lunar New Year influx of 49,000 daily visitors

    Phuket International Airport is bracing for an influx of around 49,000 visitors each day throughout the Lunar New Year festival, which commenced on Sunday and extends till February 16. This figure was revealed by Monchai Tanod, the airport director, who also stated that the total number of arrivals during the 13 days is projected to reach a staggering 640,000. This…

  • Thailand News

    Thai government may lift afternoon alcohol sales ban to boost tourism

    The Thai government is considering lifting the afternoon prohibition on alcohol sales in a bid to boost its tourism industry. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is planning to ask the government’s alcohol control committee to discuss the appeal by the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA) to revoke the rule that restricts alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. Though the…

  • Business News

    Free visa policy to boost Thai tourism stocks amid Chinese arrivals

    An agreement for a free visa policy between Thailand and China is set to greatly boost seven Thai tourism-related stocks, as projected by brokerages. This policy, signed earlier this week, is anticipated to cause a significant uptick in Chinese arrivals in Thailand this year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese tourists in…

  • Business News

    Taiwanese tourism in Thailand set to hit one million mark

    The Taiwanese tourism market in Thailand is projected to reach a milestone of one million visitors this year, provided that Thailand’s government prolongs its visa-free scheme until the end of the year. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), stated that despite the delayed visa exemption approval for Taiwanese tourists in November last year, the total…

  • Thailand News

    Transforming Thailand’s Koh Yao into a wellness tourism hotspot

    The Thai Public Health Ministry is set to transform Koh Yao district in Phang Nga into a wellness hotspot by augmenting medical services and expanding long-stay options for tourists. The solitary hospital on Koh Yao Noi, Kohyaochaipat Hospital, currently caters to over 12,000 island residents and sporadic tourists requiring medical attention, according to Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. The hospital…

  • Business News

    Thailand’s tasty revival: Spending spree at food shows signals economic upswing for MICE sector

    A surge in spending at food and packaging trade shows indicates a revival in the economy and a favourable trend for business tourism this year. Thailand remains a favoured location for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector, according to Informa Markets Thailand, a leading trade show organiser. Kotchasorn Tocharoentanapol, the Deputy Event Director at Informa Markets Thailand, noted…

  • Business News

    Mobile Cabinet allocates 552 million baht for Andaman Coast development

    A total of 552 million baht (US$15 million) has been allocated by the mobile Cabinet towards the development of 18 new projects across six southern provinces on the Andaman Coast. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday, January 23, after a Cabinet meeting in Ranong. The projects, proposed by the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee responsible for the southern…

  • Business News

    TAT targets 7 billion baht tourism revenue surge for Ranong

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to boost Ranong province’s tourism revenue to 7 billion baht (US$196 million) in the current year, a substantial rise from 6.72 billion baht (US$188 million) in the preceding year. The strategy is to increase the share of international tourists to 15% of total visitors, a significant recovery from the previous year’s slump. Ranong,…

  • Business News

    Thailand targets 23.1 million MICE visitors by fiscal 2024

    The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has set a target to attract a minimum of 23.1 million meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) visitors by fiscal 2024. Through this, they aim to generate a revenue of 136 billion baht, which equates to 75% of the income recorded in 2019. TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya noted that the challenge…

  • Economy News

    Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism

    Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…

  • Business News

    Thailand’s tourism authority faces challenge to boost foreign arrivals

    With a significantly decreased budget from its 2019 benchmark, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) faces the daunting task of increasing foreign arrivals from 28 million in 2023 to 40 million in just a year. The drastic goal was deliberated on Tuesday when Chai Wacharonke, a government spokesperson, revealed potential plans to boost arrivals to this figure, spurred by new…

  • Pattaya News

    Pattaya’s tourism tide: Aims to lure 27 million visitors, making waves under local authority’s watch

    The coastal city of Pattaya, under the auspices of the local tourism authority, sets its sights on drawing an impressive 27 million visitors this year. Urai Mukpradapthong, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s Pattaya office, revealed this target, noting that it isn’t ambitious given the predicted number of tourists last year, which is expected to have hit the…

  • Tourism News

    Thailand targets 3.5 trillion baht tourism boost for economy

    Thailand’s government is setting its sights on a 3.5 trillion baht (US$101 billion) boost to the economy via the tourism sector this year, aiming to establish the nation as an all-season tourist hotspot. A spokesperson for the government, Chai Wacharonke, revealed that over 27 million international travellers graced the country in 2023, with the majority stemming from Malaysia, closely followed…

  • Economy News

    Long-haul tourism to boost Thai tourism revenue in 2024

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that long-haul tourism will significantly bolster Thai tourism revenue in 2024, contributing seven percentage points more than pre-pandemic levels. This was discussed last week as the Minister for Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, met with TAT executives to deliberate on next year’s market strategies. The government has set a goal of 3.5 trillion…

  • Events

    Thailand tourism forum 2024: AI and lifestyle hotels spotlight

    Bangkok will once again play host to the upcoming Thailand Tourism Forum 2024. Topping the event whose theme is ‘Time for Growth’ will be Aditip Panupong from Google giving insight into how AI is changing the country’s tourism sector. Featuring the leading stakeholders and speakers from across the industry, including Patrick Both, Area General Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG…