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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United Airlines resumes Bangkok flights after 11-year hiatus
United Airlines has resumed flights to Thailand after more than a decade, launching a new daily service from Los Angeles to Bangkok via Hong Kong. The inaugural flight landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Saturday, October 25, marking the airline’s first return to the kingdom since 2014. The route aims to enhance connectivity between Thailand and North America, while reaffirming…
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Thailand told to aim bigger as tourism rivals surge ahead
Thailand has been urged to set its sights higher, with tourism giant Galaxy Resorts Thailand encouraging the kingdom to target 45 to 60 million international visitors annually between 2030 and 2035. Kevin Clayton, chief brand officer of Galaxy Resorts, said that while Thailand remains a regional favourite, it risks falling behind unless it adapts to fast-changing global tourism trends. “With…
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Thailand gears up for busy winter with 250 plus airline services
Thailand will welcome over 250 airlines this winter season, as aviation officials allocate flight slots and charter flights surge to boost tourism. Thailand is preparing for a surge in international arrivals this High Season, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirming that 255 airlines have been allocated flight slots for the winter 2025 schedule. The season, running from…
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Thailand tourists face 100k fine for toxic sunscreen on reefs
Thailand has warned tourists that using banned sunscreens in marine parks could lead to fines, as officials crack down on products harmful to coral reefs. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has issued a strict warning to tourists: using certain sunscreens in Thailand’s marine parks could see you slapped with a fine of up to 100,000…
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Airlines boost Thailand flights under TAT tourism drive
International airlines are ramping up flights to Thailand to meet growing travel demand, following tourism initiatives led by Thai officials. Thailand is poised to see a significant tourism surge as international airlines increase flight routes, frequencies, and seat capacity to the kingdom in the fourth quarter. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed that carriers from East Asia, South Asia,…
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Box jellyfish sting scare hits tourists at Patong Beach
Lifeguards on a popular Phuket beach have reported a surge in jellyfish stings affecting tourists, with several victims requiring urgent hospital care. The incidents, which have involved the notoriously venomous box jellyfish, have left beachgoers with burning skin, rashes and in some cases, serious allergic responses. Lifeguards confirmed that the stings occurred both near shore and in deeper water. Some…
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Koh Chang tourism rebounds despite border tension
The tourist season kicked off in Koh Chang, Koh Kut, and Koh Mak as Thai tourism officials launched fresh campaigns to revive travel following border tensions. Clashes along the border led to a travel ban in Trat and nearby provinces, with martial law enforced for up to five months. The disruption triggered mass cancellations from international travellers, especially Europeans, costing…
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Pattaya to host first-ever Eastern Muslim Culture Expo
Pattaya will be hosting a major cultural expo celebrating Muslim heritage in eastern Thailand, aiming to boost tourism and promote cross-cultural understanding. Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet welcomed a delegation from the Chon Buri Provincial Islamic Committee this week to discuss plans for the Eastern Muslim Cultural Expo, scheduled for January 16 to 18. The meeting took place in Meeting…
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Thai agency denies forcing Chinese tourists to buy souvenirs after viral video
A Thai travel agency denied forcing Chinese tourists to buy souvenirs for commission or threatening to cancel their return trip, saying the Chinese tour guide seen in the viral video worked for the company’s partner agency in China. The video, showing the Chinese tour guide arguing aggressively with tourists on a tour bus, went viral on the Chinese social media…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa to front Thailand’s global tourism push
Global K-pop star Lisa from BLACKPINK has been appointed as Thailand’s new tourism ambassador to promote the country’s culture and charm to international travellers. Announced today, October 15, the campaign is a bold move to promote Thailand’s culture, charm, and hospitality through the international stardom of Lalisa Manobal, better known as Lisa, a Thai native turned global K-pop icon. With…
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Chinese tour guide under investigation for threatening tourists in Thailand
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is investigating a tour guide who allegedly forced Chinese tourists to buy souvenirs in Thailand and threatened not to allow them to return home if they refused to spend money. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) A video showing the tour guide, believed to be a…
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Thailand targets 12 million tourists this high season
Thailand aims to attract 12 million international visitors during the upcoming four-month high season, leveraging four major events: the Amazing Marathon, Maha Loy Krathong 2025, Vijit Chao Phraya Light Festival, and the Amazing Thailand Countdown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) Nat Kruthasoot, deputy governor for tourism products and business at the…
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Israeli tourist boom sparks tension on Koh Pha Ngan
Following an incident last week where a Koh Samui restaurant denied claims it removed Israeli diners amid online backlash, officials on Koh Pha Ngan held a meeting to address rising tensions involving Israeli tourists and foreign-run businesses. Surat Thani Governor Teeruth Supawiboonpol chaired a high-level meeting with provincial agencies this week to address the concerns, which echo similar unrest seen…
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Pattaya eyes extreme sports fame to woo global thrill-seekers
Pattaya officials held a meeting with extreme sports leaders to discuss hosting international events aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. In a recent high-level meeting, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, City Secretary Phumpipat Kamolnath, and Acting Director of the Tourism and Sports Bureau Wipawadee Wongsuwan met with Apichat Rutnin, President of the Asian Extreme Sports Federation, and Pascal Filippi, Managing…
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Phuket seaplane plan aims to jet-set luxury tourism sky-high
Officials and private stakeholders met in Phuket to discuss a proposed seaplane project aimed at boosting luxury tourism and improving regional connectivity. A bold proposal by Thai Seaplane Co Ltd aims to introduce seaplane operations in Phuket Bay to boost the island’s luxury tourism sector while meeting strict environmental standards. The public forum, held yesterday, October 9, at a multipurpose…
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Tourists face fines for defacing Kanchanaburi road sign
Officials in Kanchanaburi are warning tourists not to place stickers or climb a popular road sign along a scenic highway, citing safety and legal concerns. Tourists heading to the remote village of Ban E-Tong in Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi, are being warned not to place stickers on a popular road sign or attempt to climb it, with officials stressing…
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Turkish restaurant hits back at claims it threw out Israeli tourists
A restaurant on Koh Samui has spoken out to deny claims that it removed Israeli tourists, saying staff were not involved in the incident. The drama kicked off after a now-viral post circulated online accusing the venue of ejecting a group of Israeli diners in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The post, shared via social media channels including Instagram…
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Phuket MP blasts visa-free policy over ‘bad tourist’ surge
A Phuket MP has urged the government to review Thailand’s visa-free policy, warning it fuels unruly tourist behaviour and harms the nation’s reputation. Chalermpong Saengdee, MP for Phuket, submitted a formal request urging the government to review the policy, which currently allows travellers from several countries to enter Thailand without a visa. While the measure has boosted arrivals and revenue,…
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Samui restaurant faces backlash for booting Israeli tourists (video)
A restaurant on Koh Samui is under fire after a social media post claimed it removed a group of Israeli diners, igniting heated debate and divided reactions online. The now-viral post, attributed to the venue, claimed the decision was a stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, using strong language to criticise the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). It said: “We must…
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AI crackdown launched to lure 2 million Chinese tourists to Thailand
Thailand has launched a major security upgrade using advanced technology to boost tourist safety and attract two million Chinese visitors in the coming months. The initiative was unveiled during an inter-agency meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Captain Thammanat Prompao at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The plan aims to restore Chinese tourist…
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Pattaya sees tourist boom with over 18 million visits
Pattaya has reported a sharp rise in tourism, with millions visiting the city as local officials credit safety measures and major events for the growing numbers. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet announced the figures this week, revealing that from January to August, the city welcomed more than 18 million tourists. Of those, over 11.38 million were domestic travellers, a year-on-year increase of…
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TAT woos Chinese tourists with stars and shopping perks
Thailand has launched a tourism campaign to attract more Chinese visitors, enlisting popular actors and offering perks as part of cultural celebrations. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officially launched the Nihao Month initiative this month, running until the Chinese New Year in 2026. The campaign marks the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese relations and is timed to capture visitor traffic…
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Malaysian tourists complain after hours-long wait at Thai border checkpoint
Malaysian tourists complained after officials at the Sadao Customs Checkpoint in the southern province of Songkhla made them wait two to three hours to enter Thailand due to delayed document processing. Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakun planned to raise the issue of delays at the border checkpoint in Parliament. He revealed that he had received numerous complaints from Malaysian tourists travelling to Thailand…
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Bahraini tourist missing after ignoring red flags at Phuket beach
A man is missing and presumed drowned after he and his brothers entered the sea during dangerous surf conditions at Karon Beach in Phuket on Friday evening, September 21. Karon Police were alerted to the incident at around 6.30pm. Three Bahraini men had entered the water despite red warning flags being clearly posted along the shoreline. All three were swept…
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Bangkok steps up plans for 2025 SEA Games spectacle
Bangkok officials met with Thailand’s sports authority to map out preparations and public relations plans as the capital readies to co-host the 2025 SEA Games. At a meeting yesterday, September 18, at Bangkok City Hall, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) outlined their joint public relations strategy for the event. Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon…
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Thai curry rice championship set to spice up Bangkok
Thailand has launched a national curry rice championship to crown the country’s top chefs and promote Khao Gaeng as a global symbol of Thai culinary culture. The event, organised with the Thai Restaurant Association and other partners, aims to showcase Khao Gaeng as an iconic dish that reflects Thailand’s culinary heritage while boosting its profile on the global stage. Tourism…
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Agoda touts Asia’s hidden gems in Tourism Day push
Agoda has highlighted rising interest in Asia’s secondary destinations as travellers seek unique experiences, with searches outpacing traditional hotspots this year. The digital travel platform revealed that accommodation searches for lesser-known spots are growing 15% faster than for traditional tourist hubs compared to the same period last year. The shift is particularly visible in countries such as Thailand, India, Indonesia,…
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‘White Lotus’ stars wow Emmys with glowing praise for Thailand (video)
Stars of The White Lotus praised Thailand at the Emmy Awards, sharing their love for its beauty and cuisine after filming the show’s third season there. Thailand took centre stage at the 77th Emmy Awards when The White Lotus Season 3 stars Walton Goggins and Parker Posey shared heartfelt praise for the country, drawing applause from the Hollywood audience. The…
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Thailand raises compensation for flight delays and cancellations
Passengers flying in Thailand will soon receive higher flight compensation for long delays and cancellations, under new regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Committee. Regulation No. 101, which outlines measures to protect passenger rights on both domestic and international scheduled flights, will take effect on November 20, 2025. For domestic flights, passengers affected by delays of more than five hours…
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Pattaya to issue sea walker permits to protect marine life
Pattaya will become the first Thai city to issue sea walker permits, aiming to regulate the activity, protect marine life, and ensure tourist safety. Launching next month, the move aims to strike a balance between marine conservation and sustainable tourism, as the underwater activity gains popularity with tourists around the world. Sea walker tourism lets visitors walk on the seabed…
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