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 12Go introduces Japan Rail Passes to enhance travel accessibility for international travellers
For those who have travelled throughout Thailand, 12Go is a well-known provider of various trips, though the platform itself has a much wider reach. Ranging from buses to planes, 12Go is undoubtedly a leading booking platform for travel throughout the...
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Pattaya police investigate foreigner’s claim of 20,000-baht slot win
A foreign man recently stirred controversy among the Pattaya community by claiming a 20,000-baht win from an online slot machine in a Facebook post. His boastful remarks quickly caught the attention of netizens and local police. The incident occurred when the foreigner posted in the Facebook group Pattaya, Thailand on July 3. “It’s good to play slot machines and win…
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Koh Samui looks for extended airport hours amid tourism surge
Tourism operators in Koh Samui are anticipating a surge in European visitors as the high season for the Gulf of Thailand approaches, advocating for extended operating hours at Samui airport to accommodate 20 additional daily flights, potentially boosting tourist numbers by 10 to 20%. President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, highlighted expectations for a complete recovery…
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Tourists swarm first durian café in Nakhon Ratchasima
Tourists flocked to Wang Nam Khiao’s first durian café in Nakhon Ratchasima, eager to sample 38 varieties of the fruit amidst cool, rainy weather. The Ploenchit Durian Garden, located in Ban Khlong Sai Village within Wang Nam Khiao district, saw a bustling atmosphere throughout the day. Visitors drove to the renowned garden, situated in the heart of the village, which…
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Only 57% of Thais to holiday at home this quarter
A recent survey reveals a dramatic decline in domestic travel plans among Thais, with only 57% intending to holiday within the country in the third quarter of this year. This is a significant drop from 64% in the second quarter and a steep decline from 74% in the first quarter. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) surveyed 450 Thai nationals,…
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High spirits: Thai airports toast Buddhist holidays with alcohol sales
The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, yesterday convened its third meeting of 2024 at the Parliament Building, to discuss the recent decision to allow alcohol sales in Thailand’s six major airports on Buddhist holidays. The meeting saw the attendance of many key officials, including Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr…
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Thailand’s airports hit new highs as passenger numbers increase
Thailand’s six international airports, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), witnessed a record-breaking influx of passengers in the first five months of 2024. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a whopping 52.16 million travellers, marking a 20.28% rise compared to the same period last year. AOT manages six key airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, and Hat…
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Pattaya Sea Walker accident prompts police dive into safety checks
An unfortunate incident involving an Indian tourist prompted the Pattaya Tourist Police to inspect a Sea Walker business, a popular water activity in the area. The tourist suffered severe injuries while participating in the Sea Walker experience and needed urgent medical care at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. The Sea Walker activity involves participants wearing helmets that supply air while they explore…
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Phuket’s inadequate infrastructure development raises concerns
Inadequate infrastructure development in Phuket is struggling to match the island’s rapid urbanisation and severe flooding, tarnishing its reputation. The government’s failure to allocate sufficient budget and upgrade public facilities as promised is a significant concern. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, highlighted that 60% of tourists are first-time visitors who might not return if infrastructure issues…
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Heavy drought leaves Lamphun houseboats stranded
Heavy drought has struck the famous freshwater Kaeng Kor Lake in Lamphun, causing a significant drop in water levels and leaving houseboats stranded on land. Tourism services have been temporarily halted until conditions improve. Operators of houseboat services at Kaeng Kor Lake, located in Mae Ping National Park, Li District, Lamphun province, announced the suspension of their boating and restaurant…
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Thai hotels seek tax breaks for renovations and EV charger installs
Operators of Thai hotels are advocating for tax deductions or subsidies to support renovation investments, especially those focused on green energy initiatives. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also urged hotels in second-tier cities to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers to cater to the increasing number of travellers using EVs. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is set to meet with…
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Thailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists
A tourism campaign featuring art toy mascot Labubu aims to draw eight million Chinese visitors and attract art toy enthusiasts globally, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated that Labubu’s selection as a promoter for Thai tourism is expected to enhance Thailand’s recognition among international tourists, in addition to the Chinese market. The…
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Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds
Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…
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Elephant riders rescue tourists in deep water after rafting mishap
A group of tourists found themselves in a perilous situation when their raft capsized in a raging river in Chiang Mai province yesterday. Swift action by a team of elephant riders ensured their safe rescue. The incident occurred when a sudden strong current overturned the tourists’ raft, leaving them stranded in the middle of the river. Clinging desperately to the…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Thailand tourism spending to miss 1.2tn baht target, rising costs
Thailand’s domestic tourism spending is projected to fall short of the government’s ambitious target of 1.2 trillion baht amid economic concerns and rising travel costs, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicates. TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Somradee Chitchong, expressed confidence that domestic trips would reach 210 million this year, surpassing the initial target of 200 million. Despite…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Stinging situation as Bluebottles sighted around Racha Islands
The Thai authorities issued a warning about the presence of Portuguese Man o’ War, also known as bluebottles, at the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, following an incident where a tour boat staff member was stung yesterday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has identified bluebottles at Ao La, Ao Tu, and Racha Yai Islands. Tourists and…
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Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world
Thailand has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful country in the world, according to the latest report by the World of Statistics. The ranking, which was shared on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, used global reports and data from the United States to determine the results. Thailand stands out as the 4th most beautiful country, following New…
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Rising travel costs hinder Asia-Pacific corporate travel, Visa reports
Rising travel costs and economic uncertainties are impacting business travel across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Visa. Companies are increasingly investing in digitalisation to manage their travel budgets more effectively. Chavi Jafa, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions for Asia-Pacific at Visa, noted that while business travel may increase in the coming years, current high travel costs and economic…
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Thailand’s tourist boom: Portuguese visitors surge by 44% this year
Thailand is basking in a mini tourist boom, with a staggering 44% increase in visitors from Portugal recorded between January and April. Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director for Southern Europe, is on a mission to shatter pre-pandemic records by luring over 52,000 Portuguese tourists this year. Ronnasiri shared her ambitions at the Thailand Festival in Lisbon. “We…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue goal in jeopardy: Tourism minister
Thailand faces an uphill battle in reaching its ambitious 3.5 trillion-baht tourism revenue target for 2024, as admitted by Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich. Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association’s annual conference, Sermsak highlighted the current progress and challenges ahead. “In the first five months of this year, Thailand has welcomed 15 million foreign tourists, generating 1.1 trillion baht.…
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HBO exec hails Koh Samui as paradise as White Lotus filming ends
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has just wrapped up filming on Koh Samui for its highly anticipated Season 3. Scott Schaeffer, HBO’s Senior Vice President for Production, hailed Thailand as a cinematic paradise, praising its natural splendour and skilled local crews. Schaeffer’s glowing endorsement came during a high-profile meeting with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Ministry…
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Thailand’s national parks smash revenue records
Thailand’s national parks achieved a monumental milestone, breaking revenue records by collecting a whopping 1.785 billion baht between October 1 last year, and June 20 this year. This incredible sum surpasses the total amount collected in the whole of 2023, which stood at 1.467 billion baht. Leading the charge is the Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, Phi Phi Islands, raking…
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British pedophile’s 30-year Thai escape leads to 30 new charges
A British pedophile arrested at a London airport after hiding in Thailand for almost 30 years is facing an additional 30 historic sex-related charges. Richard Burrows, one of the UK’s “most wanted” fugitives, saw his 50-year reign of terror come to an end when he was apprehended on Thursday, March 28, at Heathrow Airport after hiding in Thailand and evading…
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Tourists flee as tuk tuk leader threatens taxi driver in Patong
A heated confrontation erupted in front of Jungceylon in Patong yesterday when a local tuk tuk leader threatened a metered taxi driver, prompting the taxi’s foreign passengers to quickly exit for their safety. The incident unfolded as the metered taxi was dropping off a customer at the bustling mall. Two foreign tourists entered the taxi, unaware of the turmoil that…
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Thailand scoops top honours in travel awards including Koh Samui
Thailand has cemented its status as a premier travel destination, sweeping the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui has been crowned the Best Island in the Asia Pacific, while Samui Airport secured a commendable fourth place among the region’s best airports. Bangkok also emerged victorious, being named the Best City in the Asia Pacific. These accolades…
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Thailand and South Korea team up for global water festival
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Jeollanam-do have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly promote Thailand’s Songkran Festival and Jeollanam-do’s Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival. The signing ceremony, held on Monday, June 17 in Seoul, South Korea, was graced by H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea. The MOU was officially signed by TAT…
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Exploitative Chinese tour operations targeted by Tourism Ministry
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports pledged decisive action against Chinese zero-sum tour operations exploiting Thai nominees to dominate the influx of Chinese tourists by offering significant price cuts, posing a severe threat to local Thai tour operators. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) raised the alarm earlier this week, noting a surge in Chinese tour groups reminiscent of…
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TAT’s plan to lure long-haul tourists with 3.5 trillion baht goal
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled an ambitious strategy to boost tourism revenue to a staggering 3.5 trillion baht by year-end, focusing on long-distance markets. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, outlined the plan yesterday, revealing that tourists from far-flung corners of the globe are crucial to hitting the government’s lofty…
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