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 Samui hotel rates surge 40% after The White Lotus airs
Luxury hotel room rates on Koh Samui have increased by up to 50% following the airing of season three of The White Lotus two weeks ago. Despite this, rates have not yet matched the peak levels seen in Phuket and Bangkok. Rathawat Kuvijitrsuwan, Senior Vice-President of Advisory and Asset Management for Asia at JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, noted that…
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Baht-ing the bullet: Thailand to cash in on tourists with fee
Thailand is gearing up to introduce a 300 baht tourism fee for all foreign visitors starting in 2025, just in time for the bustling peak travel season. The news comes courtesy of Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who shared that the levy is designed to ease the financial burden currently shouldered by the government to assist tourists in emergencies…
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Phuket to host Thailand Biennale 2025, showcasing global art
Phuket is set to become a global art hotspot as the Thailand Biennale 2025 gears up to showcase a fusion of contemporary creativity and natural beauty. The Ministry of Culture officially launched the event’s first group of participating artists during a press conference at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Thursday, February 27. With the theme Eternity, the international…
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Top US Navy official praises Pattaya police for flawless security
In a high-profile visit that highlighted Pattaya’s growing reputation for safety and security, Luu Pham, Assistant Force Protection Attaché from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at the US Embassy in Thailand, met with Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Ensarn, head of Pattaya Tourist Police Station, to commend the city’s exceptional security measures. The meeting, held amidst the bustling backdrop…
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European tourists flock to Pattaya for extended stays
Pattaya continues to charm European tourists even as the High Season winds down, with many choosing to extend their stays thanks to the city’s laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, and improved tourism policies. This thriving beach town remains a top destination, proving that its appeal goes beyond seasonal travel trends. A survey conducted on Tuesday, February 25 in the Yinyom and…
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Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
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Thailand to introduce 300-baht tourism tax
Thailand is set to introduce a 300-baht tourism tax for foreign visitors by the end of this year, sparking debate over its potential impact on the travel industry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the fee is expected to take effect during Thailand’s High Season, provided it is approved and published in the Royal Gazette by March. The…
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Thailand to boost tourism with ‘Thai Charm’ and must-visit cities
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), announced that in 2025, the primary strategy to attract global tourists to Thailand will focus on emphasising Thai pride through Thai Charm or soft power. This will be coupled with promoting Must-Visit Cities to create valuable experiences that stimulate travel demand, expand market bases, and increase travel frequency and distribution…
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Room for concern: Foreign investors in Thai property causes a stir
Tourist industry insiders voiced concerns about the amount of foreign investors snapping up hotels, pool villas, and luxury digs in Thailand’s bustling tourist hotspots like Phuket and Bangkok. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), added his voice to the growing chorus of concern. He’s especially wary of Russian property owners flouting the rules by secretly renting out…
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New horizons: Norse Atlantic soars with Gatwick to Bangkok route
Norse Atlantic Airways announced the launch of a new direct route from London Gatwick to Bangkok, promising passengers an enticing journey without breaking the bank. Set to take off on Sunday, October 26 this year, the new service will operate up to four times a week, with return fares starting from just £295 (12,500 baht) taxes included. The announcement comes…
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Israeli embassy urges tourists to follow new behaviour guidelines
The Israeli Embassy in Thailand has introduced guidelines aimed at promoting a positive image of Israeli nationals in Thailand, following criticisms over perceived disruptive behaviour in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. On February 21, the embassy posted on its Facebook page a set of behavioural recommendations for Israelis visiting Thailand. This move was in response to concerns from Thai citizens…
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White Lotus season 3 boosts Koh Samui tourism by 88%
The third season of the HBO series The White Lotus has led to an 88% increase in Internet searches for Koh Samui and a 44% rise in hotel bookings on the island, according to tourism executives. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) predicts that Koh Samui may not experience a low season this year due to the popularity of the…
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British woman’s dream Thailand trip turns surgery nightmare
A British woman thought she was embarking on a holiday of a lifetime to mark hers and husband’s golden wedding anniversary. But their romantic escapade to exotic Thailand has spiralled into a medical horror story that’s left the beloved granny fighting for her life! Their sun-soaked plans were ruined when Pamela Gatehouse, from Carshalton, Surrey, fell victim to a terrifying…
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India offers free 30-day visa for Thai tourists until end of the year
To boost Thai tourist arrivals and balance the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Thailand, India is offering Thai travellers a 30-day visa-free entry until the end of 2025. The Indian government announced that Thai visitors could now apply for an e-tourist visa online without paying any entry fee, encouraging more Thais to explore India. The Indian embassy in Thailand…
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Thailand’s biometric system overloaded with 50 million records
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has hit a critical roadblock, with its biometric system reaching its maximum capacity of 50 million records, preventing new foreign arrivals from being automatically recorded. The bureau is now forced to manually document arrivals and rely on an online database for security checks until a new system is developed. Police Colonel Neti Khanboon, commander of the database…
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Thailand’s tourist influx generates over 270 billion baht revenue
Thailand has experienced a significant influx of over 5.5 million international tourists between January 1 and February 16, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports under the leadership of Sorawong Thienthong. This surge in visitors has resulted in the generation of more than 270 billion baht (US$8 billion) in revenue, playing a crucial role in the country’s ongoing…
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Louis Vuitton’s chic travel guide gives Bangkok the luxury treatment
Thailand’s cultural capital just got a designer makeover with the launch of an ultra-exclusive travel guide that promises to put Bangkok on the opulent itinerary. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton to unveil the much-anticipated Louis Vuitton City Guide Bangkok 2025. The launch event, held on Tuesday, February 18, at the Maison…
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Thailand launches new luxury bus service to Pattaya and Hua Hin
Thailand is about to rescue those arriving in the Land of Smiles lost in a sea of taxis with a new first-class bus service that’s set to redefine airport transfers from Bangkok, to Pattaya and Hua Hin. Thailand’s state-run Transport Co., is ready to roll out a swanky first-class bus service starting on March 8, promising to make the dreary…
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Le Méridien Chiang Rai partners with AirAsia MOVE
Travellers looking for the perfect winter escape now have even more reasons to visit Chiang Rai as Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort joins forces with AirAsia MOVE, the travel booking platform of Capital A, to offer seamless access to the enchanting northern Thai city. With direct international flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Rai operated by AirAsia, plus connections from…
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Boatload of change: Phuket makes waves with water transport plan
Phuket is set to make a splash with an innovative plan to tackle its notorious traffic woes—by taking to the water. In a bid to ease the island’s increasing congestion, local officials gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall’s Smart Operations Center yesterday, February 17, to explore the integration of water transport systems, with a focus on a pioneering ‘Boat Taxi’ project.…
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Worm welcome: American woman’s nightmare trip to Thailand
A 30 year old American woman, who had just returned from a dream holiday trip across Hawaii, Japan, and Thailand, discovered she was harbouring rare parasitic worms in her brain. The woman from New England, USA, visited A&E with agonising headaches and a mysterious burning sensation in her feet that slowly crawled up to her arms, only to be sent…
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Thailand urged to target older tourists to boost tourism revenue
A scholar from Thammasat University is advocating for Thailand’s government to target older tourists, who are known for longer stays and higher spending, as part of its tourism strategy. The government has designated 2025 as the year of Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports, with the objective of drawing 40 million international tourists and generating a minimum of 3 trillion…
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Tourism surge in Pai threatens cultural identity and local harmony
Mae Hong Son‘s northern region of Thailand, known for its natural beauty and vibrant backpacking scene, faces challenges due to a surge in tourism. The district of Pai, once a serene market village surrounded by rice fields, hot springs, and rivers, has transformed into a bustling tourist destination. Its bohemian spirit, affordable lifestyle, and lively nightlife draw backpackers who often…
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Pattaya’s Oman roadshow draws huge tourism interest
Pattaya is making waves in the Middle East. City officials and business leaders landed in Muscat, Oman, to showcase Pattaya’s tourism charm, drawing overwhelming interest from local tour operators. Pattaya City, in partnership with the Chon Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya Office, hosted the Pattaya Roadshow to Muscat at the Sheraton Oman Hotel on…
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Azerbaijan eyes Phuket: Talks on direct flights and sister city plans
Phuket is on the radar for deeper ties with Azerbaijan. Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, February 13, for Ambassador Elchin Rakub Ogul Bashirov of Azerbaijan at the Phuket Provincial Hall, where the two discussed ramping up diplomatic and tourism cooperation. With Phuket’s tourism boom in full swing: 13.1 million visitors raking in over 497 billion…
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Thailand’s MMA boom in 2025: How the Land of Muay Thai is embracing mixed martial arts
Thailand, long celebrated as the birthplace of Muay Thai, is experiencing a dynamic shift in its combat sports landscape. In 2025, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), signalling a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in the fighting arts. Historically, Muay Thai has been the cornerstone of Thailand’s martial arts identity.…
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DASTA backs Phu Kradueng cable car feasibility study
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has expressed support for the government’s proposal to conduct a feasibility study on a cable car project within Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. DASTA director Thitipong Khiawpaisan stated that Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong instructed the agency to undertake the study of this contentious project. The study will encompass…
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French tourist’s trip to Koh Tao turns into cabbage truck chaos
A French tourist’s dream trip to Koh Tao in Surat Thani took an unexpected turn when he ended up stranded in Doi Tao, Chiang Mai, due to a miscommunication. His misadventure didn’t end there, while hitchhiking south he lost his wallet in Suphan Buri. But thanks to kind locals and police, he was able to recover it and continue his…
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Chinese tourists lead 4.8m visitors to Thailand, boosting revenue
Over 4 million tourists have visited Thailand since the start of the year, with Chinese visitors leading the numbers. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced yesterday that from January 1 to February 9, Thailand hosted 4.8 million international tourists, contributing more than 234.9 billion baht in revenue. Chinese tourists ranked highest with 825,617 arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 617,631,…
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Iran seeks to boost tourism ties with Thailand
Iran aims to enhance tourism exchanges with Thailand, as stated by its ambassador during an event celebrating Iran’s National Day in Bangkok on Tuesday, February 11. Nassereddin Heidari, the Iranian envoy in Bangkok, highlighted that over 50,000 Iranians visited Thailand as tourists last year, establishing it as a favoured destination. Iran hopes to see this figure rise. Tehran is eager…
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