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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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…
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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…
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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…
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Scamera action: Snap-happy KL hustler fleeces Thai tourists (video)
A picture-perfect holiday in Kuala Lumpur almost turned into a financial nightmare for a group of Thai tourists after an unlicensed street photographer tried to fleece them out of 860 Malaysian ringgits (approximately 6,800 baht) for a few holiday snaps. According to a viral post on Threads, the group had been enjoying the sights around Kuala Lumpur City Centre when…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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Smile high club! Thailand ranked world’s No.3 for fun and frolics
Thailand’s not just the Land of Smiles, it’s now officially one of the most fun places on the planet, with Gen Z leading the charge from temples to techno. Thailand has landed a top-three spot in the global fun league, coming in third in the US News & World Report’s 2024 rankings, and it’s not just about full moon parties…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Cha-am forest park lands national camping award
Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park in Cha-am has officially earned its place among Thailand’s top nature escapes after receiving national certification under the Thailand Tourism Standard for the 2025 fiscal year. The award, handed out by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, celebrates parks that excel in safety, service quality, and site management for camping…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Gale warning! Phuket reels as freak storm rocks island (video)
Phuket was left battered and on edge after a violent tropical storm tore across the island, killing one and injuring another, with officials warning the danger isn’t over yet. Governor Sophon Suwannarat urged residents, tourists and boat operators to stay on high alert after the Sunday downpour unleashed chaos across all three districts, Mueang, Thalang and Kathu, smashing into 17…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Kuwait ’til dark: Pattaya’s Middle Eastern night riders in firing line
Young Middle Eastern night riders brought late-night mayhem to a Pattaya street this week, sparking a bust-up that had locals fuming and cops revving into action. A confrontation between two gangs of Middle Eastern youths on Soi Yen Sabai on July 16 sent tempers flaring and engines roaring, as the summer influx of Kuwaiti college kids hit Pattaya’s streets with…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Chiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place
Thailand has cemented its status as a tourism heavyweight after Chiang Mai was officially crowned Asia’s best city for 2025, leaving travel-hungry globetrotters buzzing with excitement. The prestigious ranking, released by Travel + Leisure, placed Chiang Mai at the very top of its coveted list, scoring a remarkable 91.94 out of 100. Bangkok wasn’t far behind, clinching third place with…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Thailand shelves tourist tax plan over fears of deterring visitors
Thailand’s controversial 300-baht entry fee for foreign tourists has been kicked down the road yet again, with officials admitting that sluggish demand and global uncertainty make this the wrong moment to squeeze travellers’ wallets. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that the long-discussed Travel Fee—dubbed the Kha Yeap Pan Din, meaning “stepping onto Thai soil”—will not be enforced…
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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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Baht’s life: Monsoon gloom rains on Phuket’s holiday parade
Phuket raked in nearly 3 billion baht during the four-day religious holiday but tourist numbers have taken a worrying dip, with Chinese arrivals more than halved and Middle Eastern travellers staying away. The Khao Phansa Buddhist holiday on July 10–11 gave locals a golden excuse for a long weekend, sending thousands of Thai tourists flocking to the island. Foreigners, meanwhile,…
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