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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Sponsored 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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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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Vietnam surpasses Thailand in attracting Chinese, Russian tourists
The decline in Chinese and Russian tourists visiting Thailand, in favour of Vietnam, is impacting the Thai tourism industry. With cheaper accommodation and 24-hour food service, alongside diverse attractions beyond natural sights, Vietnam is drawing twice as many tourists compared to Thailand. Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, President of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, highlighted that Thailand’s tourism image has been suffering for…
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‘Hello, Ni Hao’ campaign woos Chinese tourists back to Thailand
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has unveiled the Hello, Ni Hao campaign, a bold new move aimed at rebuilding confidence in Thai tourism among Chinese travellers. The initiative, which kicks off this month, will see more than 300 Chinese media professionals and influencers invited to Thailand to showcase the country’s attractions through social media and press coverage. “This is…
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Chinese tourists vanish, Pattaya cruise sinks into crisis
A luxury Pattaya dinner cruise once packed with Chinese tourists is now struggling to stay afloat, after a dramatic drop in visitors forced mass layoffs and desperate reinvention. Ocean Sky Pattaya, a once-thriving restaurant cruise catering largely to Chinese travellers, has laid off 30% of its staff in a drastic move to slash costs as Chinese arrivals dry up. Buncha…
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Northeast Thailand’s billion-baht cable car gets green light
A long-proposed cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in northeast Thailand is officially shifting into gear after a 25.7 million baht budget was approved for its design. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), confirmed the scheme would see a 3-kilometre route constructed, potentially beginning at the Pha Mak Dook…
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Thailand hotel prices soar, low season sparks price war fears
Room rates experienced a significant rise during the recent tourism High Season, drawing criticism from travellers who perceived Thai hotels as more costly than those in neighbouring countries. As the low season now takes hold, some hoteliers express concerns over potential price wars due to reduced arrivals. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that the…
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Trat Discovery campaign offers island perks and free flight prizes
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Bangkok Airways and local tourism operators, has kicked off the Trat Discovery: Island and Beyond campaign – a bold push to supercharge tourism in Thailand’s eastern region with discounts, rewards, and premium travel experiences. Running from May 1 (yesterday) to August 20, the campaign offers exclusive perks for Bangkok Airways passengers…
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Thailand vows to tackle dual pricing after tourist complaints
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to addressing concerns voiced by foreign tourists, mainly regarding widespread dual pricing, following a surge of complaints on social media platforms. Sorawong Thienthong, the minister, made this commitment after a meeting held on April 26 with tourism industry executives and representatives from various agencies to discuss these issues. The meeting was spurred…
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Luxury durian afternoon tea launched to boost Thai tourism
Durian lovers, rejoice! Thailand’s King of Fruits is getting a five-star makeover. To boost gastronomy tourism, Thailand is promoting its premium Mon Thong durian with an exclusive Durian Decadent Afternoon Tea campaign, aiming to create unforgettable travel experiences for modern, experience-seeking tourists. Launched during the summer High Season, this campaign highlights innovative culinary experiences featuring Thailand’s prized Mon Thong durian,…
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Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ boom to boost economy by 152 billion baht
Thailand’s LGBTQIA+ community is fast becoming an economic force to be reckoned with, with a new study projecting a 152 billion baht boost to the nation’s GDP this year, fuelled by local spending and a surge in LGBTQIA+ tourism. According to research from Mahidol University’s College of Management (CMMU), more than 5.9 million LGBTQIA+ persons, around 9% of Thailand’s population,…
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Shocking encounter: Man hides in Thai woman’s Japan hotel room
A solo traveller from Thailand shared a chilling experience in Japan when she discovered a man hiding under her hotel bed. Natalisi Taksisi, who had chosen Japan for its reputation for safety, was horrified to find a stranger in her room despite the hotel’s key card system. The incident, which has since gone viral, has raised concerns about hotel security and…
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Up in the air: Thailand to elevate tourism with airport upgrades
The Ministry of Transport in Thailand has allocated funds to upgrade airports in three provinces in northeastern Thailand to boost secondary city tourism. Assistant Transport Minister Manoporn Charoensri announced efforts to transform Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan into year-round tourist destinations. The initiative aligns with the government’s policy under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who emphasises secondary city tourism, with…
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Drunk tourist walks naked through Phuket, sparks outrage
A drunk foreign tourist was filmed walking naked through the streets of Phuket Town, prompting locals to voice concerns about the growing problem of unruly visa-free tourists. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต shared a shocking video of a foreign man stumbling down Rattanakosin 200 Years Road in Talat Nuea subdistrict, Mueang district, completely naked. The man, visibly intoxicated, appeared to…
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Thailand launches e-ticket system in marine parks
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) will officially introduce a fully operational e-ticket system on October 15 across six key marine national parks, marking the beginning of the tourist season. This pilot project aims to boost park revenue by 10% and improve transparency in collecting entrance fees. During a press conference yesterday, April 28, Director-General Attapol…
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Pattaya sees drop in Chinese tourists, welcomed by Europeans
Pattaya is seeing a noticeable decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, a shift met with mixed feelings by locals and long-term visitors. Business owners reliant on mass tourism have voiced concern, while many European tourists and residents are quietly welcoming the change. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that daily Chinese arrivals in Pattaya have fallen to around 5,000, compared…
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Smoke on the water: Tour boss caught out in Phi Phi national park
A business operator was fined 10,000 baht for taking foreign tourists to drink beer and smoke cigarettes at sea in the Phi Phi Islands. This incident, captured in a video on social media, showed inappropriate behaviour within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province yesterday, April 26. The post was captioned with a scathing message…
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New liquid and gel rules enforced at Thailand airports
Thailand has introduced new rules governing how liquids, gels, and aerosols (LGAs) can be carried in hand luggage, tightening security measures at airports nationwide. The new regulations, which came into effect on Tuesday, April 22, were published in the Royal Gazette and supersede those introduced in 2019. “These updated rules, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), aim…
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Baht slump could boost Pattaya tourism in low season
As Pattaya gears up for its traditional low season, a silver lining has emerged, Thailand’s weakening baht could bring a welcome surge in foreign visitors. With the Thai currency slipping to 33.57 baht per US dollar yesterday, April 24, down from 33.39 the day before, analysts suggest the trend may continue, offering tourists more bang for their buck. “Foreign travellers…
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Phuket flyer dodges tornado terror as storm grounds landing (video)
A Thai tourist got more turbulence than he bargained for today on a family getaway to Phuket, when a tornado ripped through the skies, forcing his flight to abort landing mid-descent. Gripped by fear, the shaken passenger admitted he chanted prayers as the plane circled the island for half an hour waiting for the skies to clear. Holiday plans turned…
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Thai Vietjet launches summer fares from 799 baht
Thai Vietjet is turning up the heat this summer with an unbeatable promotion, offering domestic flights from just 799 baht, including taxes and fees! Whether you’re dreaming of a beach getaway to Phuket, a city escape to Chiang Mai, or a cultural trip to Hat Yai, there’s a deal waiting for you. But that’s not all – international routes are…
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White lines, don’t do it! British man nabbed in drugs & visa overstay
A British man’s island joyride ended in handcuffs in Koh Samui after he reportedly tried to dodge a police stop, only to be caught with drugs in his bag and an expired visa in his passport. What started as a routine patrol turned into a high-speed chase through the streets of Koh Samui after a British man gave police the…
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Chinese tourists favour Vietnam over Thailand amid rising costs
Thailand has fallen behind Vietnam as the most-visited Southeast Asian destination for Chinese tourists in the first quarter. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) subsequently urged the government to lower travel costs, which are currently 30% higher than Vietnam’s, and enhance Thailand’s appeal with new attractions. The Tourism and Sports Ministry recorded 1.3 million Chinese visitors to Thailand during…
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Thailand’s visa-free scheme under scrutiny for overstays
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has raised serious concerns about the misuse of Thailand’s visa-free entry scheme, following a noticeable increase in visa overstays, illegal employment, and other breaches of the programme. The scheme, which allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days without a visa, has been a cornerstone of the country’s tourism success. However,…
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Thai tour guide under fire for serving fruits in the sea
An online drama erupted after a Thai tour guide shared a video of her team member serving fruit to foreign tourists while they were swimming in the sea. The tour guide posted the video on her TikTok account but later deleted it following criticism. However, several local news Facebook pages shared screenshots of the footage, further fuelling attention from the…
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Thailand slashes 2025 tourism forecast amid global concerns
In a surprising move, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has revised its tourism revenue forecast for 2025 down to 3 trillion baht, citing a mix of domestic and international factors that could affect the country’s tourism industry. The new target is a significant reduction from the previous projection of 3.5 trillion baht. Permanent Secretary Nattareeya Thaweewong confirmed the updated forecast…
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AOT reports record 2.6 million passengers during Songkran festival
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced impressive air traffic statistics for the Songkran period, highlighting a 4.3% increase in passenger traffic across the six airports it operates, compared to last year. Dr Kerati Kijmanawat, President of AOT, revealed that from April 11 to 17, a total of 2.6 million passengers passed through Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket,…
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Koh Larn to get new police station amid tourist boom
With more than 10,000 tourists descending on Koh Larn every day, officials have finally responded to mounting concerns about safety and stretched police resources by announcing plans for a brand-new police substation at Tawaen Beach. In a recent meeting held at Pattaya City’s branch office on the island, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya Manoch Nongyai, Permanent Secretary Kiatthisak Sriwongchai, and other…
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Krabi under the table! Bribery storm rocks paradise parks
Tourism bosses in Krabi are demanding answers after bombshell bribery claims surfaced against park officials accused of pocketing cash from dodgy tour operators, sparking fears the scandal could tarnish Thailand’s tropical crown jewel. Krabi Tourism Association called for a full-blown investigation into explosive allegations that national park officials have been taking bribes from tour companies, claims that have gone viral…
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New roof welcomes shade to Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier
Tourists heading to Koh Larn can now enjoy a cooler wait at Pattaya’s Laem Bali Hai Pier, thanks to a new roof installed over the ferry boarding area. The pier, a key launch point to the popular island, has long been criticised for offering little protection from the intense sun. That’s now changed with the addition of a large roof…
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Boob job and Thailand: Kerry Katona’s big move unveiled (video)
Former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona vowed to quit England for Thailand and to get her boobs done after naming the Land of Smiles as her “happy place.” The ex-singer, reality TV star, and OnlyFans creator, shared an emotional video in which she spoke about her desire to move her five children to Asia, swap catfights for cannabis retreats and…
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