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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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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Bhumibol Bridges to shine bright on Nawamintharathirat Day
Tomorrow, on October 13, Thailand remembers His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a revered monarch whose seven-decade reign shaped the nation’s modern history. Born in Massachusetts in 1927, King Bhumibol, Rama IX, ascended the throne in 1946 following the untimely death of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol. Though never destined to rule, his reign became a symbol of compassion, stability, and…
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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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New Thai tourism chief pushes ahead with 300-baht visitor tax
Thailand’s newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports, Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, has announced plans to finally implement the long-discussed 300-baht tourism tax during his four-month tenure. The minister insists the fee will directly benefit visitors through insurance coverage and improved travel infrastructure. Speaking yesterday, October 3, Atthakorn urged all relevant agencies to “clearly communicate the benefits” of the policy to international…
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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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British family swap classrooms for tuk tuks in Asia adventure (video)
A British couple and their two young children have begun a year-long journey across Southeast Asia, choosing world travel over traditional schooling. Parents, 38 year old James Humphries-Stone and 42 year old Hayley Griffiths from Derbyshire, have embarked on a year-long journey across Southeast Asia with their two young children, five year old Stanley and three year old Margot. Swapping…
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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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Thailand introduces new tax for vintage cars to boost tourism
The Excise Department has introduced a new tax for vintage cars and plans to allow them to operate on weekends and public holidays. Kulaya Tantitemit, Director General of the Excise Department, said the department supports the use of electric vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, under the EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives. These measures aim to position Thailand as a…
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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 to test seaplane routes to boost island tourism
Thailand is launching a pilot project with seaplane routes in Trang, aiming to boost tourism by linking remote islands with major travel destinations. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has confirmed plans for a pilot seaplane tourism project that could revolutionise the country’s travel industry. The initiative, developed in partnership with private operators Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, will begin test…
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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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Tourism chiefs demand cash coupons for foreign visitors
Tourism leaders are urging the new minister to launch urgent spending incentives for foreign visitors to boost travel and prepare for the upcoming low season. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, is pushing the new tourism minister to act fast with competitive measures such as travel cash vouchers for international tourists. The proposal mirrors successful programmes…
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China slowdown drags Thailand tourist arrivals down 7%
Thailand recorded a decline in foreign tourist arrivals and revenue as the tourism ministry reported fewer visitors from key markets, led by China and Malaysia. Thailand welcomed 21.88 million international visitors between January and August, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The figure represents a 7.16% drop compared with the same period last year, with revenue…
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Agoda names Khao Yai National Park as Asia’s 2nd best rural destination
One of the leading travel platforms, Agoda, ranked Khao Yai National Park as the second most popular rural destination in Asia for travellers seeking an escape from the city. Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan announced today, September 5, that Agoda placed Khao Yai just behind the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Other destinations included in the list are Puncak (Indonesia), Fujikawaguchiko…
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Scotsman’s Thailand trip cut short after ex cancels passport
A Scottish holidaymaker’s dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare when his ex-partner cancelled his passport, leading to his detention at the airport and subsequent deportation back to the UK. William Barr, from Inverkeithing, Fife, was detained by immigration officers as soon as he arrived in Phuket, and ultimately deported back to the UK before his holiday even began. “I…
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Airbnb names Phuket’s Rawai Beach in top foodie destination for 2025
The short-term accommodation rental platform Airbnb included Rawai Beach in Phuket in its 2025 Summer Travel Trends as one of the world’s top destinations for food lovers. Airbnb’s 2025 survey reveals that more travellers are turning away from overcrowded capitals and instead choosing lesser-known hidden gems. This trend highlights a global shift from congested urban centres to more accessible, culture-rich destinations.…
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Pattaya’s beach camping proposal faces opposition from tourists
A proposal to allow beach camping for a fee in Pattaya has ignited a wave of criticism from both tourists and long-term residents, raising concerns over the potential damage it could cause to the city’s image and its struggling hotel industry. “Beach camping, and what toilets are the campers using?” asked one European visitor, highlighting Pattaya’s ongoing cleanliness issues along…
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Bangkok hotels face crunch as occupancy rates tumble
Bangkok’s hotel industry is heading into a storm in the second half of this year, with falling occupancy rates, soaring competition and a sharp drop in Chinese arrivals casting a shadow over the capital’s hospitality market. A report by Knight Frank Chartered (Thailand) revealed that average occupancy slipped by 3.7% to 75.1% in the first half of this year, while…
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Phuket’s pricey new night market flop shut in 2 months
Phuket’s newest night market has turned into a multimillion-baht flop, shutting its doors just two months after opening in a blaze of publicity. The 30 million baht Plern Pao Night Market, near Surin Circle’s clocktower roundabout, closed abruptly this week. Organiser Plern Pao Co Ltd issued a notice on Monday, September 1, confirming the shutdown and instructing vendors to collect…
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Pattaya’s Walking Street dazzles with LED, but not all impressed
Pattaya’s most famous strip is glowing brighter than ever, but not everyone is dazzled by the city’s latest high-tech addition. Walking Street has unveiled a brand-new LED display, designed to boost Pattaya’s image as a world-class tourist hotspot. City officials say the giant installation is part of efforts to modernise public spaces and cement the street’s reputation as a global…
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