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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Baht off! Bangkok Bank shuts the door on tourist accounts
Tourists and short-term visitors in Thailand are getting the cold shoulder from Bangkok Bank after the banking giant quietly slammed the brakes on opening accounts for foreigners without long-term visas. Expats and digital nomads are reeling after Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest lender, introduced tough new rules barring tourists from opening deposit accounts, applying for credit cards, or using mobile banking…
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Phuket boosts tourism with 7 new developments
Phuket’s booming tourism industry is set for a fresh injection of new developments as four hotels and three condominiums received approval from the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during a recent meeting. The third EIA committee gathering of the year took place at the Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, chaired by Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai. The…
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New regulation updates fees for Thai historical sites and museums
Visitors to Thailand’s national museums and registered historical sites should prepare to pay updated entry fees following a new ministerial regulation announced today. Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, the regulation immediately revises the charges for entry to these cultural landmarks, aiming to modernise fees that had remained unchanged since 2008. The culture minister enacted the regulation under the…
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Top 5 kid-friendly experiences on Koh Samui
Experiencing Koh Samui with kids may just offer an adventure of a lifetime. The award-winning island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, features many educational activities set against the backdrop of a tropical paradise, Ann Carter writes. The island’s kid-friendly establishments focus on educational opportunities that blend a sense of community, nature-themed activities, and creative outlets. Koh Samui is where…
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Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season
Pattaya is proving that even the so-called low season cannot dim its vibrant appeal. With fresh urban upgrades and the ever-popular nearby island of Koh Larn continuing to attract visitors, this bustling city remains a favourite destination for both Thai and international travellers year-round. On Sunday, May 25, reporters visited Khao Phra Tamnak, also known as Naval Radio Station Hill,…
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Thailand integrates AI to transform tourism sector
Assistant Minister Supachai Jaismut from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation attended a national seminar in Phuket to promote the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Thailand’s tourism sector. The event, AI for Next Gen – Transforming New Era Tourism with AI, took place at the Blockchain Technology Centre in Chalong from May 24 to May 25.…
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Chiang Rai restaurant struggles as tourists flee contamination fears
A riverside restaurant in Chiang Rai is facing financial struggles as tourists have vanished due to contamination concerns in the Kok River. Despite the safety of land-based eateries, customers remain scarce, impacting income and debt repayment. At the riverside eatery in Ban Pang Ngiu, in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai, the once-bustling atmosphere has become eerily quiet. The dining…
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Foreign tourists caught defecating outside restuarant in Phuket
A Thai restaurant owner in Phuket urged the government to consider increasing the number of public bathrooms after foreign tourists defecated outside his business on two separate occasions. The owner of Salaloy Restaurant, Pananut Asawapitakchon, shared details of the unpleasant incidents on his Facebook account yesterday, May 22. He explained that the incidents occurred twice beforehand, last week and this week,…
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China backs green Phuket push to boost tourism and tunnels
China is throwing its support behind Phuket’s dream of becoming a low-carbon tourist haven, following a high-level diplomatic visit that’s turned heads across the island. Yesterday, May 21, Chinese Consul General in Songkhla Wang Zhijian paid a courtesy visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the Phuket Provincial Hall. The visit wasn’t just ceremonial—both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen…
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No sex on the beach: Cops go nuts for ‘coconut tree’ sex workers
More than 50 alleged sex workers were rounded up along Pattaya Beach last night in a dramatic police sweep, just over a week after furious residents branded previous crackdowns a “PR stunt.” Officers stormed the beachfront at 9.06pm, yesterday, May 21, in a coordinated operation aimed at flushing out the illegal trade tarnishing the city’s tourist image. The move came…
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Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025 boosts rainbow tourism economy
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), part of Central Group and operator of Central shopping centres, is reinforcing its dedication to diversity and equality with the launch of Thailand’s Pride Celebration 2025: Pride For All. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, CPN’s chief marketing officer, highlighted that the campaign celebrates Pride Month as a recognition of human rights and a strategic element for economic expansion. Thailand’s…
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Foreign tourist flees angry mob after violating Krabi national park rules
A viral video has emerged showing a foreign tourist fleeing from angry Thai men after he violated rules at a national park in the southern province of Krabi. It is also alleged the foreigner behaved disrespectfully towards park rangers. The Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Facebook page issued a statement addressing the incident after a video of the…
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Pattaya cracks top 10 safest cities in ASEAN
In a surprising twist that’s turning heads across Southeast Asia, Pattaya, long known for its wild nightlife, has been named one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in ASEAN for 2025. The ranking, released by Numbeo, a global database that tracks cost of living and quality of life, placed Pattaya at 9th with a Safety Index score of 53.9. The…
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Thailand bets big on rain with 1.17tn baht tourism push
Who says the rainy season is a travel killer? Thailand’s tourism chiefs are flipping the script with a bold new campaign aiming to turn soggy skies into serious cash, targeting a jaw-dropping 1.17 trillion baht in domestic tourism revenue in 2025. On Sunday, May 18, Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan announced the launch of 12 creative tourism campaigns under the…
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Transwoman nicked after Pattaya Beach brawl with Israeli tourist
A Thai transwoman who fled the scene of a violent late-night brawl with an Israeli tourist has been arrested by Pattaya police. The suspect vanished shortly after chaos erupted on Pattaya Beach Road during the early hours, where at least five transgender women were caught on video attacking an Israeli tourist in a black T-shirt. The row reportedly kicked off…
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Rescue volunteer shocked as foreigner trashes Pattaya booth
A shocked rescue volunteer in Pattaya is pleading for justice after a mystery foreigner allegedly smashed into his emergency booth, causing thousands of baht in damage, including wrecking a defibrillator. Thawin Siangkong, who works unpaid for the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit, reported the late-night break-in to Pattaya police in the early hours of today, May 20. Armed with CCTV footage…
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Phu Kradueng cable car sparks sustainability fears
The proposed cable car project in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with questions being raised about its compliance with sustainable development objectives. Opponents argue that the project exemplifies a trend of government-supported large-scale initiatives that could exploit natural resources under the guise of tourism growth. The issue re-emerged late last month…
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What to pack for Thailand without looking like a tourist?
Can you travel light, stay stylish, and still blend in with the locals? In Thailand, where the climate is tropical, the culture is modest, and fashion is effortlessly chic, what you pack says a lot about how you show up—not just in photos, but in respect and awareness. You don’t need a suitcase of outfits to make the right impression.…
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Flight club: Thailand plots new routes to Vietnam to boost tourism
Thailand is gearing up to launch new direct flights linking its northeastern provinces to Vietnam to supercharge tourism and deepen regional ties. The plan, revealed during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Vietnam, aims to make travel easier between the neighbouring countries while tapping into their growing tourism markets. Speaking during her two-day visit, which concludes today, May 16, the…
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Top Shanghai official tours Pattaya in tourism charm offensive
Pattaya rolled out the red carpet this week as a high-profile Chinese delegation arrived to explore what the city has to offer—and to send a strong message: Thailand is open, safe, and ready to welcome Chinese tourists back in droves. Yesterday afternoon, May 15, at the Garden Cliff Hotel, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet and his secretary, Phumpipat Kamolnath, greeted Zhang…
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Similan Islands shut for sea-son: Timeout to let paradise breathe
Thailand’s tropical jewel is taking a breather, the world-famous Similan Islands are going off-limits for five months in a bid to revive coral reefs, boost management and give misbehaving tour operators the boot. The idyllic marine park in the Andaman Sea, off Phang Nga’s coast, will be shut to tourists from tomorrow, Friday, May 16 until October 14, officials announced,…
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China slump no drag-on for Phuket, says property tycoon
Fears that China’s economic slowdown could batter Thailand’s tourist trade have been brushed aside by a luxury property boss, who insists Phuket is still booming thanks to big spenders from elsewhere. Phuket’s posh property scene is still sizzling despite fewer Chinese tourists hitting the island and one property mogul reckons it’s all just a blip. Allan Zeman, chairman of the…
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Ko Samui waterfall horror lands British soldier in deep debt
A dream trip to Thailand turned into a living hell for a British soldier after he plunged from a waterfall, shattering his body and racking up a jaw-dropping £100,000 (4.4 million baht) medical bill, with no way home in sight. The 21 year old squaddie has been left broken and stranded after falling from a popular Thai waterfall while taking…
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Danish man vanishes after no-show at Thailand airport
A Danish man who failed to board a flight home from Thailand in March has vanished without a trace, leaving behind a trail of confusion, concern and desperate pleas from loved ones as fears grow for his mental health and safety. The baffling disappearance of Jakob Jensen, has sparked an international search effort after the Danish tourist seemingly vanished in…
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Thailand ranks fifth for Chinese tourists, boosting cultural ties
Thailand continues to be one of the top five destinations for Chinese tourists, as the government intensifies efforts to improve the travel experiences of its visitors. According to data from Alipay and its network, Thailand ranks as the fifth most popular destination for Chinese travellers during extended holidays. It follows Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, and South Korea, as stated by…
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Government forms task force to tackle illegal tour operators nationwide
A nationwide joint task force has been established by the government to address the issue of illegal tour operators and unlicensed tour guides, according to deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan. The task force comprises officials from five agencies: the Tourism Ministry, the Business Development Department, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourism Police Bureau, and the Immigration Bureau. Their efforts…
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White Lotus filming fails to boost southern Thailand hotel tourism
Hotels in southern Thailand have yet to see any significant impact from the filming of The White Lotus HBO series in the country. The global economy’s volatility and safety concerns have influenced potential tourists’ decisions. Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy in Phuket, reported that despite the popularity of White Lotus Season 3, which aired on…
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Thailand’s Koh Kut and Koh Mak overwhelmed by tourist surge
Sunseekers are swarming to two of Thailand’s lesser-known island paradises, sending ferry services into overdrive and fully booking out thousands of rooms — and it’s all thanks to a surge in online buzz and back-to-back public holidays. Koh Kut and Koh Mak, tucked away in Trat province’s eastern waters, have rapidly climbed the travel charts, becoming some of the country’s…
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Thailand lowers tourist target after 30% drop in Chinese visitors
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) considers lowering its target for foreign tourists this year due to a 30% drop in Chinese visitors. As a response, TAT plans to allocate 2 billion baht for the We Travel Together campaign, which will start next month. Teerasak Thepensri, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, addressed this at the third Capital Market…
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Aussie tourist drowns near Phuket’s Koh Racha Yai
An Australian tourist tragically drowned on May 6, just off the coast of Phuket’s Racha Island, as he reportedly went for a swim while intoxicated. The 22 year old tourist was initially revived with CPR, but was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a nearby hospital. On May 6, at 2.28pm, the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (Pearl Centre) received a…
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