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 tourism thrives despite slow GDP growth
Thailand’s tourism sector demonstrates resilience, maintaining momentum despite a GDP growth of only 1.5% in the first quarter, which trails behind its regional counterparts. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this robustness to a quicker rebound in tourism compared to other industries and is planning to sustain this through the ongoing promotion of festivals. Reports have shown that large…
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Phuket dreams of a Vietnamese tourist boom
Tourism operators in Phuket, the jewel of Thailand’s southern resort islands, are optimistic about a significant influx of Vietnamese tourists following a high-impact promotional campaign in Vietnam’s two largest cities. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Association stated that the island aims to welcome at least 120,000 visitors from Vietnam this year, marking a 50% increase from last year’s…
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Thai Consulate Savannakhet: No more walk-in services
THAI CONSULATE SAVANNAKHET POLICY CHANGE The Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos, will go to online appointment booking only effective June 1st (actually on Tuesday June 4th which is the first day they’re open after the holiday). The consulate will no longer allow walk up service, you have to book an appointment to get in the gate. At this time the…
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Massive positive changes to Thailand’s visa system from June 1
5-year visas available for digital nomads, boxers and chefs students The cabinet has approved a number of new visa initiatives aimed at attracting more tourists. This includes visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes, extended stays for students, and a decrease in mandatory health insurance for retirees. The Foreign Ministry suggested these actions due to the country’s significant reliance on tourism, according to…
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Record sea temperatures leave Thai corals feeling the heat
Sea surface temperatures on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast hit record highs during a regional heatwave, causing significant coral bleaching and threatening the local marine ecosystem. This poses severe risks to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities. Marine biologists and locals are alarmed by the impact of rising sea temperatures on marine life. The vibrant and colourful corals, typically found…
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Pool tragedy sinks holiday: 74 year old Austrian drowns in Pattaya
A 74 year old Austrian man tragically drowned at a condominium pool in Pattaya. The incident took place at an unidentified complex in the Naklua area of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The Thai authorities received a report about the drowning around 9.30pm yesterday, May 27, prompting Banglamung police and rescue workers to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, officials…
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Red line review: SRT on track to prevent airport link hiccup
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board mandated a review of the Red Line electric train extension project due to concerns that design modifications might interfere with the high-speed rail link connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. Anan Phonimdang, SRT Deputy Governor, highlighted the board’s apprehensions regarding the relocation of a station on the 25.9-kilometre extension, which could potentially…
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Tourism in Koh Samui hampered by shortages and infrastructure
Efforts to boost tourism in the southern islands of Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are underway as the government tackles pressing issues such as water shortages and illegal businesses. Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich recently engaged with entrepreneurs from Surat Thani‘s Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan islands to address the province’s pressing tourism challenges. Koh…
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Pattaya police powerless unless three British men lodge attack complaint
Pattaya Tourist Police declared they cannot take action regarding the assault on three British men, which left one of them in a coma, unless an official complaint is lodged. Three British men were attacked on Friday, May 24, at the Helicopter bar on Soi 6 in Pattaya over an unpaid bar bill. One of the men is now in hospital…
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Pattaya’s Nong Nooch Garden trumpets arrival of elephant calf
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya recently celebrated the arrival of a new elephant calf to its sanctuary. On Saturday, the garden’s president, Kampol Tansajja, and his team invited Phra Khru Kasem Kittisophon, Abbot of Wat Samakkhibanpot, to lead a welcoming ceremony for the newborn. The calf, named Pang Sapparot which translates to pineapples in English, was born to the…
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PM tunes up tourism: Bangkok’s Song Wat set to hit high notes
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to enhance the promotion of Song Wat, one of Bangkok’s most historic trading areas, as a prime tourism destination. Following a walk along Song Wat Road and discussions with young entrepreneurs yesterday, the Thai premier expressed on his X account, formerly Twitter, that…
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Phuket’s tourism boom: Is the island ready for the rush?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that tourism revenue in Phuket this year will skyrocket to a staggering 400 billion baht. In a surprising revelation, the provincial TAT office reported that more than 3.6 million tourists graced the resort island in the first quarter alone. Lerdchai Wangtrakoondee, director of the provincial TAT office, announced yesterday that tourist numbers…
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Staycation and Sleep Tourism: The new travel trend
Two new tourism trends, staycation and Sleep Tourism, are taking the travel world by storm, according to an online travel platform. Staycation involves short trips to nearby provinces, with an emphasis on enjoying the hotel’s amenities like swimming pools, cycling, and spa treatments. Sleep Tourism, on the other hand, is all about travelling to unwind and recharge, prioritising sleep and…
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IndiGo boosts Delhi-Phuket route, take off June 1
Starting June 1, IndiGo will double its weekly flights from Delhi to Phuket from seven to 14, in response to Thailand’s extension of visa-free stays for Indian citizens until November 11. IndiGo, India’s premier low-cost airline, is enhancing its service with twice-daily flights, offering morning and evening departures. This increased frequency will provide greater flexibility and convenience for travellers planning…
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Thailand slips to 47th in global travel rankings
The World Economic Forum (WEF) unveiled its Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, and the results have left many surprised. Released on May 21, the Index provides a comprehensive evaluation of the global travel and tourism landscape, assessing the essential conditions required for investment and operation in the sector. According to the report, Thailand has slipped to the 47th position…
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Japan considers extending tourist visa waiver for Thai citizens
Japan is contemplating an extension of its tourist visa waiver for Thai citizens due to rising concerns over its potential discontinuation next year. This matter surfaced during discussions held in Tokyo between Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa. Trade and investment relations were the primary focus of their meeting. However, the visa waiver programme was also…
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Tourists behaving badly: Locals protest for better respect
Thailand is not the only country in the world with badly behaved tourists. As Ibiza and Mallorca say no to tourists coming to party, it’s becoming increasingly clear that expectations on travellers in the world’s most popular destinations are changing. In recent months, Thailand has seen an increase in crime committed by foreign tourists, from illegal employment to property damage…
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Bugged out: Chiang Mai traveller’s rose petal bath hit by insect invasion
A traveller’s recent trip to Chiang Mai took an unexpected turn when a planned relaxing bath turned into an encounter with a swarm of insects. The traveller chose a picturesque accommodation with a bathtub on the balcony, offering stunning mountain views during the day. However, as night fell, the situation drastically changed. Dhiwa Bhochawatt’s post on Facebook detailed the surprising…
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Bangkok Land to transform Mueang Thong Thani into smart city
Bangkok Land, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, is poised to transform Mueang Thong Thani into a smart city district. This ambitious plan includes the establishment of a new seafood and fruit centre aimed at providing affordable goods to attract tourists to Nonthaburi. The development is strategically timed to coincide with the launch of the Pink Line monorail service,…
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Betting on Songkhla: Legal casino spin to boost border tourism
Tourism operators in Songkhla urge the government to consider developing an entertainment complex with a legal casino to revitalise tourism in border areas and reduce dependence on Malaysian visitors. As the government reviews a project for an integrated entertainment complex, Songchai Mungprasithichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, highlighted the potential of Ban Dan Nok and the area around…
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Phuket jet ski tragedy casts shadow over British man’s holiday
A British man’s paradise holiday in Phuket tragically turned to gloom for his family when he lost his life in a jet ski crash earlier this month. Jonathan Greene, from Stoke-on-Trent, met a tragic end during his holiday in the sun-soaked paradise of Phuket earlier this month. The 37 year old, of Church Avenue in Baddeley Green, was soaking up the…
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Bleak reefs: Coral bleaching hits Mooh Koh Surin & Phi Phi Island
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DMCR) revealed seven coral bleaching sites have been identified in Moo Koh Surin National Park in Phang Nga, with up to 70% of coral fields around Krabi’s Phi Phi Island also affected. An investigation into the bleaching situation, conducted over two days, revealed that seven coral reef sites in Moo Koh Surin…
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Koh Samui’s new cruise terminal project anchors big investors
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that Koh Samui’s ambitious new cruise terminal project has drawn substantial interest from investors both locally and internationally. The Ministry of Transport plans to review the outcomes of a feasibility study into the project’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment model before submitting it to the cabinet for approval. Manaporn provided an update on the project’s…
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TAT’s grand plan to attract 39 million tourists to Thailand
The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) called for a major budget increase to boost tourism revenue to a staggering 3.5 trillion baht in 2024, attracting more tourists. The Thai government is aiming high, with an ambitious goal to lure no fewer than 39 million international tourists to its stunning shores throughout 2024. To achieve this, the TAT is pushing for…
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Marine officers to intensify clean up efforts at Koh Phi Phi
Marine officers at Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park are set to intensify clean-up efforts to collect floating rubbish around Koh Phi Phi beach, driven ashore by the monsoon season. This decision follows viral Facebook posts by Associate Professor Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine environmental academic and lecturer at Kasetsart University. He highlights the growing problem of marine debris…
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Bangkok holds five-day Pride fest to boost LGBTQ+ tourism
Thailand is gearing up to host a five-day Pride event in Bangkok, aiming to establish itself as Asia’s rainbow capital. This event, organised by the government alongside private and civil sectors, will feature a series of activities running from May 31 to June 4 under the theme Celebration of Love. Ann Chumaporn, founder and president of the Bangkok Pride Parade,…
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Tourism campaign in the works to promote second-tier provinces
In a bid to amplify tourism revenue from lesser-known provinces and cities, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a five-point campaign aimed at promoting 55 second-tier regions. The initiative marks a collaborative effort involving nine ministries, the Royal Thai Police, and two additional agencies. Deputy Governor of the TAT, Somruedee Jitjong, emphasised the necessity of diversifying tourism revenue streams…
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Thai PM shifts gears: Thailand aims to race onto F1 calendar
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin seized the opportunity to explore the potential for Thailand to host a Formula One race in 2027 or 2028 during his official visit to Italy from May 17 to 21. Visiting the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola, near Bologna for the Emilio-Romagna Grand Prix this past weekend, he engaged in discussions with the F1 Group…
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Thailand unveils Phuket monorail plan to improve transport
The government unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance Phuket’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a new monorail system linking the airport and Phuket Town. This initiative arises from the island’s robust economic performance, with over 300 billion baht in circulation last year. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recognised Phuket’s potential, aligning with the government’s strategy to…
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Alipay+ partners with TAT to redefine travel experience
Thai tourism is undergoing a digital revolution as Alipay+ teams up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to redefine the travel experience. With an aim to attract more tourists and enhance their journey, the duo unveils an array of innovations that promise seamless exploration and unforgettable memories. In a joint statement, Alipay+ and TAT announced groundbreaking developments set to…
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