Tourism News

Thailand tourism news, travel updates, visa policies, and destination highlights—stay informed on hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and major infrastructure projects. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand travel news.

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    Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht

    Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...

  • Furious farangs slam Pattaya over ‘Thai price’ double standard | Thaiger

    Furious farangs slam Pattaya over ‘Thai price’ double standard

    As domestic tourism campaigns roll out across Pattaya, many foreign travellers are left feeling short-changed. While Thai nationals enjoy government-backed discounts and co-pay perks, expats and tourists say they’re being charged more for the same experiences, from hotel rooms to national park entries. “Should I get a local to book my hotel for October?” one frustrated tourist posted on a…

  • Thailand seeks slot waiver amid drop in Chinese tourists | Thaiger

    Thailand seeks slot waiver amid drop in Chinese tourists

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is in discussions with Chinese officials to obtain a one-year slot waiver in response to decreased Chinese tourist arrivals. ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, the CAAT director-general, stated that temporary relief from airport slot usage requirements is being sought due to the ongoing weak demand from Chinese travellers. Once Thailand’s primary source market, Chinese tourist…

  • Frustrated hotels ditch glitchy travel scheme for DIY Thai deals | Thaiger

    Frustrated hotels ditch glitchy travel scheme for DIY Thai deals

    Thai hotels are losing patience with the government’s troubled Half-Half travel scheme, ditching the red tape and launching their own “Thai Price” promotions after weeks of chaos and low results. Launched on July 1, the highly touted campaign aimed to revive domestic tourism during the low season (July–October) by covering up to 50% of hotel room costs. But just three…

  • Oui snack: French salami hits 7-Eleven shelves in Thailand | Thaiger

    Oui snack: French salami hits 7-Eleven shelves in Thailand

    Get ready to spice up your snack game – French salami is coming to a 7-Eleven near you. Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) has just launched two premium cold cut products – Bucher Rosette Salami and Bucher Chorizo Salami – imported directly from France and now available in select Thai 7-Eleven branches starting July 31. The gourmet cold cuts, produced by…

  • Thailand urged to tap booming halal tourism market | Thaiger

    Thailand urged to tap booming halal tourism market

    At the Mega Halal 2025 trade show in Bangkok, tourism insiders sounded the alarm on Thailand’s missed opportunities in the lucrative halal travel market. From prayer signage to proper certification, they argued, the country is just a few small tweaks away from becoming a top destination for Muslim travellers. “Today, it’s no longer just Muslims promoting to Muslims,” said Aida…

  • Deputy health minister inspects Khao San Road to boost tourist confidence | Thaiger

    Deputy health minister inspects Khao San Road to boost tourist confidence

    Deputy Public Health Minister Chaiyanat Dejdecho visited Khao San Road to advocate for legal compliance and improve public and tourist confidence. The campaign encourages businesses to adhere to health and safety regulations set by the Ministry of Public Health. Chaiyanat led the initiative, inspecting six establishments on Khao San Road: Khaosan Cannabis Dispensary, Charlie Khaosan Spa, Weeden, KD Goldenleaf Khaosan,…

  • TAT bets on value to reboot Thai tourism | Thaiger

    TAT bets on value to reboot Thai tourism

    Thailand is flipping the script on tourism. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed a sweeping 2026 strategy under the theme Value is the New Volume, marking a major shift toward sustainable, quality-driven travel experiences aimed at redefining the kingdom’s global image. At the official launch, held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, top government officials, including Minister…

  • Thai hotels face crisis as Chinese tourists drop by 41.94% | Thaiger

    Thai hotels face crisis as Chinese tourists drop by 41.94%

    The Thai hotel industry is facing its toughest period, with a significant drop in tourist numbers. Chinese tourists alone decreased by 41.94% in June. The Thai Hotels Association is urging the government to enhance the country’s image, enforce safety measures, and tackle overcharging of foreign tourists. Tianprasert Chaipattaranan, President of the Thai Hotels Association, yesterday, July 23, expressed concern over…

  • Qantas passengers forced to surrender passports in Bangkok (video) | Thaiger

    Qantas passengers forced to surrender passports in Bangkok (video)

    Aussie travellers were left fuming in Bangkok after their Qantas flight was cancelled at the last minute—forcing them to choose between handing over their passports or sleeping on the airport floor. The service from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Sydney was initially delayed for six hours before being officially cancelled late on Monday night, July 21, stranding dozens of passengers…

  • Thailand puts brakes on 300 baht tourist fee | Thaiger

    Thailand puts brakes on 300 baht tourist fee

    Thailand’s ambitious plans to rake in trillions from tourism are hitting turbulence, with officials now backpedalling on a controversial landing fee amid falling visitor numbers. Tourism and Sports Minister Surawong Thienthong revealed that the government is sticking to its 2025 target of 38 million tourist arrivals and 3 trillion baht in revenue – the same goal as this year. But…

  • Patong’s wave rave! Sirens to sound as tsunami drill hits beach strip | Thaiger

    Patong’s wave rave! Sirens to sound as tsunami drill hits beach strip

    Tourists in bikinis and beach bums sipping cocktails in Patong got a surprise dose of civic duty this week, as town hall chiefs hit the streets to warn about a tsunami drill set to rock the resort next Tuesday. Mayor Lalita Maneesri led the charge on Monday, July 21, flanked by councillors, civil defence bosses and hi-vis-clad disaster response teams.…

  • Rushin’ back! Russian tourists flock to Thailand despite global turmoil | Thaiger

    Rushin’ back! Russian tourists flock to Thailand despite global turmoil

    Russian tourists are packing their bags for Thailand in droves — and not even US sanctions, global instability, or stiff competition from Vietnam can stop them. Despite threats from US President Donald Trump to slap a 100% tariff on Russian goods unless peace is brokered in Ukraine, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says the Russian market is still on…

  • Brits in Pattaya face rising risks, embassy warns | Thaiger

    Brits in Pattaya face rising risks, embassy warns

    The British Embassy is sounding the alarm in Pattaya, and expats would be wise to take notice. During a high-profile reception at the Courtyard by Marriott, the Bangkok-based consul in charge of consular affairs addressed a gathering of British expats and Thai officials with a stark warning: the number of UK nationals in distress is rising sharply. Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin cited…

  • Thailand boosts economy with medical and wellness tourism focus | Thaiger

    Thailand boosts economy with medical and wellness tourism focus

    Thailand is exploring opportunities in the medical and wellness sectors to address domestic economic challenges, characterised by slow growth amid global uncertainties. The nation is focusing on medical and wellness tourism, medical manufacturing, and elderly care solutions to stimulate economic activity, according to Messe Düsseldorf Asia, an international trade organiser. These sectors are anticipated to grow the domestic market by…

  • Thai villages win big for green tourism push | Thaiger

    Thai villages win big for green tourism push

    Thailand’s grassroots tourism projects just bagged six major accolades from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), placing the kingdom firmly on the regional map for sustainable travel in 2025. Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan announced the big win yesterday, July 21, crediting the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) and its community network partners for putting Thailand’s local experiences…

  • Thailand targets 2.8 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2026 | Thaiger

    Thailand targets 2.8 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2026

    Thailand is chasing a high-stakes travel comeback — and it’s banking on quality over quantity to get there. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its bold vision for 2026: raking in a staggering 2.8 trillion baht in tourism revenue and breaking into the world’s top 10 countries for tourism income. It’s an ambitious leap — a 5% boost from…

  • Stars, stripes and tourist gripes as Trump hikes visa fee kick off | Thaiger

    Stars, stripes and tourist gripes as Trump hikes visa fee kick off

    Tourists, locals, and ex-pats in Thailand are being warned to brace for a wallet-busting new visa fee, after Donald Trump slapped a stinging US$250 charge on would-be visitors, just in time to cash in on the flood of sports fans heading to America. The controversial visa integrity fee has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the US president of using global…

  • Holiday blues: Thailand tourism hits bump in the flight path | Thaiger

    Holiday blues: Thailand tourism hits bump in the flight path

    Thailand’s golden age of tourism seems a distant memory as the Land of Smiles battles to reclaim its pre-pandemic glory. While neighbours like Vietnam and Malaysia have soared past their 2019 highs, Thailand’s tourist engine has stalled and experts warn it might be years before the country climbs back into the global travel top tier. Thailand welcomed 35.5 million foreign…

  • 4 Thai airports launch fast track for Chinese children and their families | Thaiger

    4 Thai airports launch fast track for Chinese children and their families

    The Immigration Bureau has introduced a fast track for Chinese children and their family members at four international airports in Thailand, aimed at visitors travelling during the Chinese school holiday. The bureau also plans to extend the service to young travellers from other countries soon. Immigration officials launched a campaign titled 暑假愉快通道 (shǔ jià yú kuài tú jìng), or Happy…

  • Maya Bay closes for conservation from August | Thaiger

    Maya Bay closes for conservation from August

    Thailand’s famed Maya Bay is off-limits once again, as officials shut it down for two months to let nature breathe after another hectic High Season. The popular tourist magnet, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, will be closed along with neighbouring Loh Sama Bay from August 1 to September 30. The temporary closure, announced by the Department…

  • Thailand booms as Hat Yai steals budget travel spotlight | Thaiger

    Thailand booms as Hat Yai steals budget travel spotlight

    Thailand continues to attract record-breaking numbers of tourists in 2025, with Chinese, Malaysian, and South Korean travellers leading the way. Meanwhile, Hat Yai is gaining traction as one of Asia’s most affordable and exciting travel hotspots. Agoda, one of Asia’s top digital travel platforms, has released fresh data showing Thailand continues to dominate regional tourism in the first half of…

  • Pattaya cops rescue Russians with highway bike push | Thaiger

    Pattaya cops rescue Russians with highway bike push

    Two stranded Russian tourists were left stunned—and grateful—after a team of Pattaya police officers came to their rescue in one of the city’s more unusual displays of public service: pushing a broken-down motorbike through traffic with nothing but a boot and big hearts. The drama unfolded around 9.40am yesterday, July 16, when the couple’s motorbike battery unexpectedly died right in…

  • UAE island fever: Phuket and Madagascar top wishlist | Thaiger

    UAE island fever: Phuket and Madagascar top wishlist

    Island fever is sweeping the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with travellers trading city breaks for sun-soaked escapes like Phuket. Expedia’s 2025 Island Hot List reveals a 30% global spike in demand for tropical getaways, and UAE holidaymakers are leading the charge, craving culture-packed, nature-filled trips that go beyond beach loungers and cocktails. According to Expedia’s latest insights, UAE travellers are…

  • Jellyfish helliday turns toxic as ‘floating terror’ hits Phuket beach | Thaiger

    Jellyfish helliday turns toxic as ‘floating terror’ hits Phuket beach

    Tourists are being urged to look but not touch after a host of venomous sea creatures, including a notorious stinger dubbed the “floating terror,” washed up on a popular beach in Phuket. Marine life officials have sounded the alarm after several dangerous sea critters, including the venom-packed Portuguese man o’ war, were discovered on the sands of Kata Noi Beach…

  • Thailand anticipates record 2.4 million Indian tourists despite Air India crash | Thaiger

    Thailand anticipates record 2.4 million Indian tourists despite Air India crash

    Indian arrivals to Thailand remain strong, despite a recent Air India aircraft accident, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasting a record 2.4 million arrivals from India this year. This resilience contrasts with a sluggish short-haul market trend. The TAT has announced that several airlines are interested in joining a forthcoming 750-million-baht flight stimulus programme. ASEAN Executive Director, Patsee…

  • Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists | Thaiger

    Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists

    Thailand is taking a bold leap to cash in on the crypto craze, with regulators unveiling plans to let foreign tourists spend their digital coins directly on everything from street food to luxury hotels. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), announced a groundbreaking crypto sandbox programme designed to boost tourism and inject…

  • Thai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash | Thaiger

    Thai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash

    Thailand’s flagship tourism stimulus project has spiralled into disarray, sparking fury among hotel operators and senators alike as delays drag on with no end in sight. The Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports is now demanding answers from Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong over the botched rollout of the much-touted Half-Half Thai Travel scheme. Senate Committee Chairperson Phisut Rattanawong…

  • Baht out of hell: British man in wheelchair fleeced by Pattaya babes | Thaiger

    Baht out of hell: British man in wheelchair fleeced by Pattaya babes

    A disabled British tourist was left humiliated and penniless after three Pattaya Beach babes robbed him blind while he was in the shower, then vanished into the night. The victim, Chris John Glennon, who is speech-impaired and uses a wheelchair, told police he had invited two Thai women and a transgender woman back to his hotel after meeting them on Pattaya…

  • Gother’s travel takeover: Thai platform rockets 300% in 7 months | Thaiger

    Gother’s travel takeover: Thai platform rockets 300% in 7 months

    Thailand’s newest travel sensation is taking off at lightning speed. In just seven months, Gother has exploded with 300% business growth, setting its sights on becoming the country’s ultimate travel booking powerhouse. Gother, the rising star of Thailand’s travel tech scene, is making waves with astonishing momentum since its launch in early 2024. Operated by Search Engine Optimisation Co., Ltd.,…

  • Grid-lock and loaded: Phuket officials vow fix for ‘Kaew’ chaos | Thaiger

    Grid-lock and loaded: Phuket officials vow fix for ‘Kaew’ chaos

    Phuket officials have finally drawn up a game plan to tackle the chronic congestion plaguing the Koh Kaew Intersection, a notorious choke point that’s long tested the patience of school-run parents and frazzled commuters. The bold new measures were hammered out at a meeting yesterday, July 14 at Phuket City Police Station, chaired by Police Colonel Chatree Chueakaew, chief of…

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