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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Koh Pha Ngan shopkeeper’s laughing gas caper goes up in smoke
A Koh Pha Ngan shopkeeper has been caught red-handed peddling balloons stuffed with nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, without a licence, and it’s no laughing matter! Rangsiman Jaisamer was busted by police in his Haad Rin shop early today, August 22, where officers discovered two cylinders of the giggly gas and a stash of balloons ready for sale.…
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Australian tourists help collect rubbish on Koh Samui (video)
A group of Australian tourists on Koh Samui became an unexpected viral sensation by helping local municipal workers collect rubbish in the early morning hours. Their enthusiastic efforts, captured on video, brought smiles and laughter to viewers, especially Thais. The incident took place yesterday at around 4am, today, August 22, when the tourists, hanging off the back of a garbage…
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Authentic Thai flavours invade Kazakhstan
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce turned up the heat in Kazakhstan, recognising three Thai restaurants for delivering an unbeatable authentic taste with the prestigious Thai SELECT certification. At the forefront of this culinary accolade is Bangkok Thai Café in Almaty, a restaurant that leaves no stone unturned in bringing the true essence of Thailand to Central Asia. With skilled Thai chefs…
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Thailand’s ‘Nihao Month’ set to woo Chinese tourists
Thailand is pulling out all the stops to lure Chinese tourists back in droves with the launch of its ambitious Nihao Month campaign. With a staggering target of attracting 8 million Chinese visitors by the end of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is betting big on a series of irresistible promotions and star-studded events. Since the beginning…
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Thailand’s economy grows 2.3% in Q2, surpassing forecasts
Thailand’s economy roared back to life in the second quarter, fuelled by a surge in consumption, tourism, and exports, according to today’s eye-popping official data. This economic boost has prompted the government to up its growth forecast for the year. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) revealed that Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded by 2.3% from the same…
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Thai Vietjet takes off: Targets nearly 8 million passengers this year
Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet aims to attract nearly eight million passengers this year by enhancing aircraft utilisation and increasing flights on existing routes, with plans to introduce new Boeing 737 Max jets next year. Thai Vietjet Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang highlighted that the visa-free scheme has significantly boosted demand on international routes, particularly to China. The airline operates flights to over…
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Pattaya’s big splash: New app to make Chinese tourists feel at home
Pattaya launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enriching the travel experience for Chinese tourists. The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, led by Boon-anan Pattanasin, hosted a meeting at the Sabai Sabana Hotel on Pattaya Soi 2 to unveil the “Wei Tai Guo” application. During the event, Panawika Limpaphan, Executive Chairman of Digilink (Thailand) Co., Ltd., introduced the new app. Panawika…
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Singaporean tourists assault hotel guard at Patong hotel
A confrontation between two Singaporean tourists and a hotel security guard in Patong yesterday led to all three individuals being hospitalised. The incident took place at the Patong Bay Residence Hotel, where the tourists reportedly tried to leave without completing the mandatory check-out procedure. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat Khamchumphu, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Patong Police Station, was alerted to the…
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Thai tourist praised for removing sticker from Mount Fuji
A Thai tourist removed a controversial sticker placed by a popular travel page on Mount Fuji, sparking widespread gratitude on social media. The travel page, followed by over 37,000 people, recently orchestrated a romantic proposal at the summit of Japan’s iconic mountain. They marked the occasion by attaching a sticker bearing their page’s name to a pole along the hiking…
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Tax breaks fall flat: Hoteliers sceptical of Thailand govt incentives
The hospitality industry in Thailand is abuzz as the government unveils a new policy aimed at boosting tourism in secondary provinces through tax benefits for hoteliers. But the response from hotel entrepreneurs has been lukewarm at best. According to the latest hospitality operators’ confidence index, a survey conducted by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Bank of Thailand, 50%…
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Thai woman faces backlash over luggage request to Japan
A Thai woman travelling to Japan faced online backlash after posting a request for someone to carry her extra luggage for a fee of 2,000 baht. Her post, which appeared in the Facebook group กลุ่มคนชอบตะลอนเที่ยวญี่ปุ่น (Japan Travel Group), was quickly removed following a flood of critical comments. The traveller asked if anyone flying to Tokyo with China Eastern Airline on…
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DEPA proposes single window to boost digital tourism in Thailand
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) called for the establishment of a single-window paradigm to streamline business operations for foreigners and bolster the digital-driven tourism industry in Thailand. This initiative aims to unify data exchanges among various state agencies, enhancing the ease of doing business. The proposed single window would function as a platform-as-a-service, operated via a centralised data portal…
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Thailand’s tourism boom: Revenue set to soar to 2.8 trillion baht
Hold onto your sun hats! Thailand’s tourism sector is on the brink of a massive surge in the latter half of the year, with an eye-popping revenue forecast of 1.46 trillion baht. That’s set to push the annual total to a whopping 2.8 trillion baht—up a staggering 25% from last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The…
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Pattaya rolls out the red carpet: Aiming for film-tastic UNESCO spot
The seaside resort of Pattaya is gearing up to host the Pattaya Film Festival 2024 in a bid to establish itself as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. The festival seeks to boost tourism through film-related activities and position Pattaya as a central hub in the film industry as part of its development plan for 2023-2030. A press conference was…
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Thailand launches new double-track railway, enhancing logistics
Thailand’s double-track railway on the State Railway of Thailand’s southern line, spanning from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon, has officially started operations. The announcement was made yesterday, August 12, by the agency. The head of the SRT governor’s office, Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, stated that the new track will enhance logistical operations along the 421-kilometre route. The upgrade is set to reduce journey…
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Billion baht boatloads: Bangkok’s big splash in water transport
Thailand’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) announced an ambitious plan to invest 8.87 billion baht to enhance water transport networks in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. This comprehensive development plan aims to bolster public transport by boat, spanning from 2024 to 2032. Panya Chupanich, Director-General of the OTP, confirmed that the Transport Ministry approved the project, which…
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Dugong to the rescue: Calf gets a nursery boost after Krabi solo act
A young dugong calf, found alone near Koh Poda in Krabi, has been transferred to a nursery in Trang for care and medical attention. Tourists discovered the calf yesterday and promptly notified officials from the Andaman Sea Lower Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, confirmed the incident and detailed…
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Thai PM calls for tourist safety in Phuket ahead of high season
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin insists tourist safety in Phuket must be prioritised ahead of the upcoming high season. The Thai premier made these remarks during a meeting with tourism-related agencies in Phuket yesterday, August 12, to prepare for the high tourist season from September to February. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region…
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Brawl erupts on Karon Beach between tourists and local workers
A photo posted on a popular social media page in Phuket today ignited controversy after capturing a brawl on Karon Beach. The image depicted a group of Indian tourists in a physical altercation with local workers responsible for managing beach umbrellas. The caption accompanying the post read: #Clashing! Brawl on Karon Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province. A group…
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Photo of tourist at Thai temple sparks online debate
A photograph posted by the well-known influencer Toffee, known as Toffee the Computer Repairing Ladyboy, sparked a heated debate online. The image, taken at the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, shows a tourist stepping on a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, leading to widespread criticism on social media. The controversy divided opinions. Some believe the foreign tourist’s behaviour is…
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Jasmine flower shortage raises prices for Mother’s Day
Skyrocketing prices and a shortage of local jasmine flowers marked this Mother’s Day, driven by fluctuating weather conditions. In Khon Kaen, many florists at the Thetsabarn 1 Fresh Market have turned to imports from Indonesia due to more affordable prices. A 65 year old florist, Noorian, noted that continuous rain has hindered the blooming of local jasmine flowers this year.…
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VietJet to receive ten Airbus jets amid aircraft shortages
VietJet, the Vietnamese budget airline, will receive up to ten Airbus jets this year, as revealed today. The delivery comes as local airlines grapple with aircraft shortages driven by engine recalls and elevated leasing costs. VietJet announced the upcoming arrival of new jets, specifically the A321neo ACF model, starting this month. This move is part of a significant expansion, with…
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Mother’s Day tourism in Thailand to generate 9.39 billion baht
Tourism income from 2.6 million domestic trips during the Mother’s Day holiday this year is expected to reach 9.39 billion baht, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This figure shows a slight decline from the 9.58 billion baht revenue recorded during the back-to-back long holidays in July. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool attributed the weaker projection for the Mother’s…
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Pattaya vendors fined for causing a ‘jam’ on Pattaya-Naklua road
Vendors operating along Pattaya-Naklua Road have come under scrutiny for causing traffic congestion with their sidecars while selling goods and food. This issue prompted numerous complaints from both residents and tourists, urging the city to take action. In response, Pattaya municipal officers inspected the area. During their visit, officials informed the vendors about their violations, highlighting how their roadside stalls…
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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Chiang Mai selects local dishes for One Province, One Menu
Chiang Mai has selected some local dishes for the One Province, One Menu initiative across three categories, with three dishes per category. The chosen dishes, including Khao Bai Pla Buang and Khanom Pad, advanced in a meeting held in Room 5, Fifth Floor, Administrative Building, Chiang Mai Provincial Hall. Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pong-itsitthaworn assigned Deputy Governor Weerapong Ritrod to…
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Thai hotels face 111 million baht loss after FTI Group collapse
The collapse of German tour company FTI Group has resulted in significant financial losses for Thai hotels, totalling over 111 million baht. Hotel operators in Thailand are now seeking assistance from the German Embassy through coordination with the Tourism and Sports Ministry. FTI Group, the third-largest tour operator in Europe, filed for insolvency in June, impacting tourists and operators across…
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Phuket motorists disrupted by Heroines Underpass pole relocation
Motorists in Phuket should prepare for further disruptions at the Heroines Monument as Thalang Traffic Police continue the relocation of power poles along Thepkrasattri Road. This work is part of the preparations for constructing the Heroines Underpass. The initial phase of this relocation project, which started last Wednesday, July 31, has been completed. Yesterday, August 4, Thalang Traffic Police announced…
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Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk
Excitement filled the air at Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya City today as villagers and amulet enthusiasts gathered to secure amulets from Luang Pu Buaket Pathumsiro, a revered monk from the eastern region. The Barami Pathumsiro model, believed to bestow blessings, attracted significant interest. This initiative aims to raise funds for Bang Lamung Hospital. Since early morning, parents, siblings, and…
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Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism
Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that…
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