Tourism News
Get your daily dose of Tourism News in Thailand with the latest updates on exciting destinations, events, and travel industry developments. We provide relevant and insightful information about Thailand’s diverse travel scene, which includes innovative hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and sustainable tourism practices. Stay informed on various tourism-related matters, including visa policies and major infrastructure projects, to ensure you’re always one step ahead in the vibrant world of travel.
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Sponsored Buon Natale: Italasia opens its latest branch in One Bangkok
Italasia, a longstanding and reputable importer of Italian products, led by Managing Director Chakrit Benedetti and Fa Benedetti, executive management and hospitality director of Italasia Group, hosted the grand opening party to celebrate the official unveiling of Italasia One Bangkok. [caption id="attachment_840519" align="alignnone" width="800"] Fa...
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Japan Airlines cancel 130 flights amid Haneda Airport runway repair
Approximately 130 flights were cancelled today by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) as the fallout from Tuesday’s accident at Haneda Airport continues to impact operations. The cancellation was necessitated after a collision between a JAL passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard plane at the airport. Reports indicate that one of Haneda Airport’s four runways remains…
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100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector
In an exclusive interview, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) President, shared her optimism about Thailand‘s tourism prospects, predicting a remarkable comeback from the pandemic’s impact by the latter half of 2024. “2023 saw Thai hotels at a 60% occupancy rate, down from the pre-Covid glory of 75% in 2019. However, with more flights to Thailand and a…
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Tourists numbers to return to pre-covid in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the picturesque northern Thai capital, last year witnessed a jaw-dropping 30% plunge in tourism, with a mere 3.9 million visitors gracing its vibrant landscapes last year, in stark contrast to the 5.6 million footfalls pre-Covid in 2019. This startling data, unveiled by social enterprise Visit Chiang Mai, paints a gloomy picture for the once-thriving tourist hotspot. A closer…
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Thai PM gives ultimatum on Mor Chit 2 bus terminal
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a stern warning to a Transport Company chief, threatening dire consequences if the Mor Chit 2 interprovincial bus terminal isn’t swiftly improved. The ultimatum comes on the heels of public outrage and scathing remarks from Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt, who exposed the terminal’s grim conditions. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke declared yesterday, January…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue surges by 44% as new year ushers in boom
The start of the new year saw a significant boom in Thailand’s tourism sector, with a 44% spike in tourism-related revenue. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this surge to the visa-free scheme and extended entertainment hours in select provinces. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, the Governor of TAT, revealed that the country amassed a staggering 54.4 billion baht (US$1,588,321,152) from December…
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Pattaya’s tourism tide: Aims to lure 27 million visitors, making waves under local authority’s watch
The coastal city of Pattaya, under the auspices of the local tourism authority, sets its sights on drawing an impressive 27 million visitors this year. Urai Mukpradapthong, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s Pattaya office, revealed this target, noting that it isn’t ambitious given the predicted number of tourists last year, which is expected to have hit the…
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Bangkok City Pillar Shrine flooded with devotees with new year wishes
Believers swarmed the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine on the occasion of welcoming another new year, seeking celestial blessings for a triumphant start to 2024. The usually tranquil shrine, nestled on Lak Mung Road in the Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang sub-district of Phra Nakhon district, witnessed an unprecedented surge of faithful on New Year’s Eve, extending their spiritual quests well into…
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Thailand and China to implement mutual visa-free travel from March
Beginning in March, Thailand and China will roll out a mutual visa-free agreement. This arrangement means that citizens from both countries will not need to apply for visas when travelling to the other country. The scheme was announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin after a Cabinet meeting, and it will take effect from the first day of March. The initiative…
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Thailand tourism soars with 28 million visitors in 2023, dominated by Malaysia and China
A surge in international tourism has been witnessed in Thailand, with the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, disclosing that over 28 million foreign tourists graced the country in 2023. This massive inflow of tourists contributed to an impressive income of over 1.2 trillion baht (US$35 billion). The leading countries, from where these tourists hailed, were Malaysia, with…
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Eight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery
This year, eight new Thai airlines are set for take off, anticipating a continued recovery in leisure travel and anticipating around 35 million foreign tourists. Among them is Cool Airlines, which intends to provide scheduled services on medium to long-haul international routes. This comes following approval from the Ministry of Transport for operating licenses, as stated by the Civil Aviation…
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Thailand and China agree on permanent visa-free travel from March
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today announced a new permanent visa-free agreement between Thailand and China during a Cabinet meeting. This arrangement, set to start on March 1, will allow citizens from both nations to travel to each other’s countries without prior visa applications. This move marks an enhancement to Thailand’s existing visa-free policy for Chinese visitors, initially slated to run…
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Uncontrolled firework display endangers tourists at Phu Thap Boek
A distressing incident unfolded at Phu Thap Boek, a popular tourist attraction in Thailand, where tourists were endangered by stray fireworks. As the countdown to the new year progressed, a lack of control over the fireworks displays resulted in a chaotic spectacle, putting visitors’ safety at risk. A social media post from an affected tourist shed light on the alarming…
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Thai government cuts local alcohol tax to zero to boost tourism and economy
The Thai government has announced a tax reduction on local alcohol as part of a wider review of laws hindering domestic tourism and economic growth. Revealed on January 2 at the Government House, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin stated that the restructuring of excise and various national taxes, including reducing domestic alcohol tax to 0%, formed part of their strategy to…
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Heavy traffic in Phuket forces travellers to allocate extra time
Phuket International Airport is once again reminding those scheduled to fly out of the island to factor in additional travel time to reach the airport. This advice, which was initially issued for the new year period, has been reiterated due to persistent heavy traffic on the island’s main roads. This renewed call for travellers to allocate an extra two to…
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Bangkok reigns as the most visited city by international tourists in 2023
Bangkok has taken the top spot as the most visited city by international travellers in the previous year according to Travelness, a popular travel website. The ranking was based on the Global Destination Cities Index gathered by Mastercard, which considered the total number of foreign tourists who stayed overnight and their expenditure. In the previous year, The Thai capital Bangkok…
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Thai hospitality groups eye global expansion amid tourism recovery
The global tourism recovery has spurred Thai hospitality groups to broaden their horizons beyond domestic borders, tapping into the robust demand in numerous destinations. In the previous year, many hotel management companies reported substantial profits, with some even witnessing their average daily room rates surpass 2019 levels, particularly in prime locations. Minor International (MINT), the largest hotel chain in Thailand,…
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Thailand targets 3.5 trillion baht tourism boost for economy
Thailand’s government is setting its sights on a 3.5 trillion baht (US$101 billion) boost to the economy via the tourism sector this year, aiming to establish the nation as an all-season tourist hotspot. A spokesperson for the government, Chai Wacharonke, revealed that over 27 million international travellers graced the country in 2023, with the majority stemming from Malaysia, closely followed…
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CNN chooses Wat Arun for New Year’s Eve bash
CNN International has handpicked the iconic Wat Arun in Bangkok to be the star of their global New Year’s Eve Live celebrations. Under the banner of Wichit Arun, this extravaganza promises to showcase the vibrant tapestry of Thai identity through a stunning display of fireworks. On the eve of December 28, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proudly announced that…
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South Korean YouTube channel explores national parks in Thailand
South Korean YouTubers behind the hugely popular Cullen Hateberry channel are teaming up with Thailand’s national parks for an exciting venture to boost tourism. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, the director general of the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), revealed the intriguing collaboration that is set to unfold in the coming year. “We’ve reached out to the Cullen Hateberry channel,…
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Thailand’s Louis Tussaud wax museum to unveil lifelike King Charles III figure
Following the resounding success of the Joe Biden wax figure debut last year, the Royal Dynasty room at Louis Tussaud’s is unveiling a life-size wax figure of the British monarch King Charles III. Nestled within the Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya shopping center in Chon Buri province, this cultural hotspot promises an unparalleled display of regal wax royalty. King Charles III,…
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Thailand tourism: 10 provinces elevated to first tier attractions
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has handpicked 10 second-tier provinces to be promoted as first-tier tourist hotspots on December 26. This strategic initiative, concocted in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, is set to revolutionise the tourism landscape. The chosen provinces, brimming with untapped potential, include Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom,…
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Bangkok crowned world’s most visited city in 2023
World of Statistics has recently crowned Bangkok as the world’s most visited city in 2023, bringing in an impressive 22.78 million tourists. This achievement is doubly significant as Thailand sees not just one, but three of its cities listed in the top 20 most popular tourist destinations. Alongside Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya also made the cut, ranking 14th and 15th…
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Neos Air takes off on Milan-Brno-Phuket route: Thai welcome extravaganza marks grand inauguration
Neos Air‘s maiden flight on the Milan-Brno-Phuket route was greeted with a vibrant Thai traditional welcome dance and personalised greetings, organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The spectacular event aimed to immerse passengers in the richness of local culture, enhancing their travel experience. Italy’s Neos Air, with Flight NO216, officially launched its operations on this exciting route, landing…
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Thai tourism minister welcomes Chinese influencers to boost 2024 travel
On December 26 Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, extended a warm welcome to a large contingent of Chinese media representatives and influencers. Their visit was part of the Amazing Festive & Exclusive Trip in Thailand, a grand event scheduled from December 21 to 28. The event saw the participation of more than 93 Chinese influencers, all…
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Airfares to plummet next year
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced a breath of fresh air for travellers— airfares are set to drop next year. With an influx of licenced airlines and a squadron of new aircraft on the horizon, the skies are about to become a lot more affordable. According to the latest revelation from the CAAT today, December 27, a stellar…
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Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback
Towering over the vibrant Ratchaprasong Square, Erawan Shrine, haven to the Hindu god Brahma outshines seven other shrines dedicated to deities like Ganesha, Trimurti, Uma, Lakshmi, Chatumaharajika, Indra, and Narayana. But amidst the spiritual serenity, tragedy struck in 2015, when the Erawan Shrine became the unexpected target of a bombing, claiming 20 lives and injuring 125. Shockingly, an ethnic Uighur…
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Thai Vietjet’s festive fares drop to 24 baht
Thai Vietjet has unwrapped a festive treat for travel enthusiasts – the Season’s Greetings promotion. This airline extravaganza is gifting travellers with special fares starting from just THB 24 (excluding taxes and fees) for a sleigh-full of domestic and international routes. But this offer is only available for booking from December 21 to 25. Pack your bags for a holiday…
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