Thai tourism
- Tourism News
Record sea temperatures leave Thai corals feeling the heat
Sea surface temperatures on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast hit record highs during a regional heatwave, causing significant coral bleaching and threatening the local marine ecosystem. This poses severe risks to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities. Marine biologists and locals are alarmed by the impact of rising sea temperatures on marine life. The vibrant and colourful corals, typically found…
- Business News
Foreign business as usual: Thailand schools diplomats on investment
The Department of Business Development in Thailand hosted a briefing for diplomats and international organisation representatives to clarify the Foreign Business Act (FBA) of 1999. The objective was to educate foreign investors on the law to ensure compliance and proper investment practices in Thailand. The Director-General of the Department, Auramon Supthaweethum, stated that the meeting aimed to help foreign investors…
- Business News
Betting on Songkhla: Legal casino spin to boost border tourism
Tourism operators in Songkhla urge the government to consider developing an entertainment complex with a legal casino to revitalise tourism in border areas and reduce dependence on Malaysian visitors. As the government reviews a project for an integrated entertainment complex, Songchai Mungprasithichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, highlighted the potential of Ban Dan Nok and the area around…
- Business News
Thailand targets 465 billion baht in central region tourism revenue
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to promote the central region with new flight connections to the south and northeast, aiming to generate 465 billion baht in tourism revenue this year. Following a mobile cabinet meeting in Phetchaburi province, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed TAT to boost tourism in Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Phetchaburi. The initiative will…
- Press Room
Launching the Accessible Thailand Wellness Tourism initiative
The Thai government proudly announces the launch of the Accessible Thailand Wellness Tourism (ATWT) initiative. The program will kick off with a media event at the SIRIRAJ H SOLUTIONS wellness center on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, hosted on the 5th floor of the ICS Lifestyle Complex, this inaugural event aims to engage media representatives and stakeholders in this groundbreaking endeavor.…
- Thailand News
Visa-free travel for Indian & Taiwanese visitors extended 6 months
Thai Cabinet extended visa-free travel for Indian and Taiwanese visitors by six months after the former period expires on May 10. The scheme is aimed at boosting Thai tourism and the economy. The Thai government initially introduced the visa-free policy for Indian and Taiwanese tourists in October last year. The measure was active from November 10 last year until this…
- Guides
Visa Agency for Thai Citizens, based in Bangkok – VisaThailand.com
Whether you’re considering to obtain a Thai visa for yourself or for the visit of a Thai friend to your country, seeking precise and trustworthy information is essential. It is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by an ocean of information, unsure of where to look or whom to trust. In this article, we will provide you with valuable advices and…
- Business News
Thailand implements blueprint for responsible tourism management
Concerns about overtourism are intensifying globally as popular destinations like Venice start imposing daily entry fees and Japan attempts to divert tourists to less-visited provinces. Thailand, expecting 40 million foreign arrivals this year, faces similar challenges. The Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Somradee Chitchong, emphasised the lack of a tourism-carrying capacity blueprint in…
- Thailand News
Thai delight: Thailand a Golden Week hotspot for Japanese tourists
Online booking platform Agoda declared Thailand as the second most popular destination for Japanese tourists during the Golden Week according to the search data. Agoda yesterday revealed the search data of Japanese nationals during Japan’s Golden Week, April 29 to May 6, and reported that Thailand emerged as the nation’s second most popular destination. While South Korea took the top…
- Tourism News
Thailand expects nearly a million Chinese and Japanese visitors
Tourism in Thailand is set to experience a significant boost as an estimated 996,000 Chinese and Japanese tourists are predicted to visit during the Labour Day holiday and Japan’s Golden Week. This figure indicates a 29% increase from the corresponding period last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). From April 26 to May 5, Thailand is expected…
- Thailand News
Thai tourism operators brace for impending annual low season
Thailand is set to face its annual tourism low season, warned Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the leading figure of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). The transition into the low season comes after the country’s Songkran Holidays, a peak period for tourism. This shift leaves tourism operators grappling with the challenge of keeping their businesses afloat during the lull in tourist…
- Tourism News
Songkran expected to boost Thailand’s economy with billions
The Songkran festival in Thailand this year is anticipated to bring between 140 and 200 billion baht into the country’s economy. The festival, which has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event by Unesco, is predicted to attract 10 million international visitors who will contribute 11.8 billion baht to the total spending. In light of the festival’s recognition, the…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
