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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Phuket’s Safety Sandbox: Island paradise prepares for full-scale safety drill
Phuket, a tropical paradise best known for its white sandy beaches, is gearing up for a comprehensive safety drill. Dubbed the Safety Phuket Island Sandbox, the exercise is slated for November 26 and will unfold in three different locations across the island. The initiative will showcase the readiness of emergency services while providing hands-on experience for the island’s emergency responders.…
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ICONSIAM’s billion baht renovation: M and first floors set for stunning transformation
ICONSIAM Mall is preparing a substantial investment of 1 billion baht for a significant renovation of the complex, set to start in July 2024. The refurbishment is specifically targeted at the M and first floors of ICONSIAM, with the project expected to run until mid-2025. The company’s managing director, Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, explained that the ICONSIAM billion baht renovation will adjust…
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Thailand’s tourist districts may extend nightlife hours to boost economy
The Interior Ministry announced yesterday that before entertainment venues in key tourist districts can prolong their extended nightlight hours until 4am, public hearings and amendments to some regulations will be necessary. This plan forms part of the government’s attempts to stimulate the economy in the upcoming high tourist season, a measure championed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Interior Minister Anutin…
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Foreign national arrested for overstaying visa launching Crime Free Phuket year two
A foreign national was taken into custody at the weekend at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by 80 days. This event marks the launch of the second year of the Crime Free Phuket initiative run by the local Immigration Bureau. The past year has seen the arrest of 188 individuals, with overstaying visas accounting for 66 of these…
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Safety in numbers: Phuket’s Tourist Police gathering gears up for high season
A remarkable gathering took place yesterday in the bustling epicentre of Phuket Town. The assembly, spearheaded by Tourist Police Commissioner Major General Saksira Phueakam, was a formidable display of dedication towards ensuring the safety of tourists during the impending high season of tourism. The meet-up took place just ahead of the grand opening of the inaugural Chartered Walking Street market on Phang…
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Ayutthaya proposed as new logistics hub amidst Thai-Chinese rail development
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed to the government to establish Ayutthaya as a new logistics hub. This development is in anticipation of the increasing investment stimulated by the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail system. The suggested logistics hub would integrate with Ayutthaya’s existing rail, road, and river transport network. In addition, there is…
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Four Thailand provinces extend nightlife venue hours to boost economy
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and Phuket, four prime Thai provinces, are all set to extend the operational hours of their nightlife venues including bars and pubs until 4am. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the decision, which is set to come into effect from December 15, as part of an initiative to boost domestic tourism and the economy. PM Srettha…
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Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach to host inaugural Lullah festival
The sandy shores of Pattaya‘s Jomtien Beach are poised to host the inaugural Lullah Fest 2023 Street Food & Party On The Beach. This vibrant event, set to take place from November 17 to 19, is already stirring up excitement. The festival will feature an array of tantalising street food, engaging entertainment, and a lively beauty pageant. Earlier this month,…
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Monkey business at Khao Sam Muk: Bitten Thai tourist urges action from Chon Buri authorities
A Thai woman, who was bitten by a monkey at Khao Sam Muk Viewpoint in Chon Buri province, issued a warning to the public and demanded the authorities take action. The victim, 24 year old Salika “Lek” Lasantier, asked the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share her story with the public. The site posted her story and a picture of…
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Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge
Aiming to achieve its revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht, Thailand’s tourism sector is pushing ahead in the last two months of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that the total takings for the first ten months stood at 1.67 trillion. TAT’s governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, outlined plans to stimulate the sector further, with a focus on intensifying…
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Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link
A plan to accelerate the development of dual railway tracks connecting five countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China – was announced at the 4th iTIC FORUM 2023: Power of Connectivity and Smart Mobility. The 4500-kilometre-long Singapore-Kunming rail line, expected to be completed by 2027, aims to boost the capacity of goods and passenger travel, making it more efficient…
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Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul
Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to start direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul on December 1, marking a significant expansion of its international flight network. The announcement was officially made in a recent launch ceremony, presided over by the Chairperson of THAI Plan Administrators, Piyasvasti Amranand, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Thailand, Serap Ersoy. The…
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Potential slump for Thai stock market due to digital wallet scheme delay
The Thai stock market is facing a potential slump this month, following a 6.1% drop in October and a 17.2% decline year-to-date, due to potential delays to a significant digital wallet scheme and a slower-than-anticipated recovery in the tourism sector. Such concerns are sparking significant investor anxiety, according to industry analysts. Sompong Benjathepanan, the assistant managing director at AIRA Securities,…
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Pattaya’s wild wonderland: Zoofari roars into town with lifelike animatronics
Pattaya residents and visitors are braced for an enthralling journey into the wild with Zoofari, an event showcasing realistic animatronic wildlife. Pattaya’s Terminal 21 is hosting Zoofari, a unique event showcasing realistic animatronic wildlife. This immersive extravaganza, filled with vibrant, lifelike creatures, is sure to leave everyone, from the young to the young at heart, in awe. Zoofari is a…
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November brings vibrant Thai cultural events for locals and tourists alike
A vibrant tapestry of cultural events and celebrations has been planned to light up the Thailand event calendar this month. From the enchanting Loi Krathong festival, the fierce Boat Race Festival, the rhythmic Pattaya Music and International Fireworks Festival, to the challenging Laguna Phuket Triathlon- there’s something for everyone. The Loi Krathong Festival this year is one of the most stunning festivities in…
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Phuket: 3 billion baht for pipeline to solve water issues and boost tourism
Phuket officials announced plans to yet again request a budget exceeding 3 billion baht for the construction of a water supply pipeline from Phang Nga to Phuket, aiming to resolve ongoing water issues and bolster tourism in the region. The budget request confirmation emerged during a meeting led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at Phuket Provincial Hall. The meeting highlighted…
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Phuket’s nightlife venues to stay open till 4am boosting tourism and economy
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat called upon local authorities to prepare themselves for the island’s nightlife venues, which remain open until 4am. This directive was issued during a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall, where officials were instructed to identify the precise areas or zones where the late-night operations would be applicable. The urgency for Phuket’s officials is palpable. Deputy Prime Minister…
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Phuket drivers protest against new baht bus service threatening livelihoods
Around 50 tuk tuk and taxi drivers swarmed the Patong Municipality offices in Phuket yesterday to express their discontent about a proposed baht bus circular service that could potentially disrupt their livelihoods. Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, along with other officials, received the formal complaint as the officers of the Patong Police maintained order. The complaint predicted a significant impact on the…
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Thai MPI faces contraction amid global conflicts and tourism slump
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) anticipates a contraction between 4% to 4.5% in the Thai Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) this year due to less-than-projected tourism growth and geopolitical conflicts impacting the global economy. In contrast, the MPI was projected to shrink by 2.8% to 3.8% in July. The OIE further predicts a contraction of 2.5% to 3% in the…
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Thai economy’s Q3 bounce-back: Warming up after a cool Q2
The Thai economy’s growth rate for the third quarter of this year is anticipated to surpass that of the second, according to the Bank of Thailand. This forecast comes after the nation’s economic expansion fell short of the central bank’s estimations for the preceding quarter. Chayawadee Chai-anant, the assistant governor for the corporate relations group at the central bank, reported…
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Seoul-searching: South Korean authorities accused of discriminating against Thais (video)
Outraged Thai netizens called for a ban on travel to South Korea, accusing authorities of discriminating against Thai nationals, pushing the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) to the top of Twitter (X). The Southeast Asian nation is a popular destination for Thais due to the influence of K-pop artists, fashion and South Korean drama. Thais do not need a visa to enter…
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Thailand to lift visa requirements for Taiwanese and Indian tourists
Thailand is set to lift visa requirements for tourists from India and Taiwan starting next month, lasting until May 2024. This move aims to attract more tourist influx as the peak season is on the horizon. This move follows in the footsteps of the decision made in September to abolish visa requirements for Chinese tourists, Thailand’s leading tourism market before…
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Hong Kong temple tells Thai tourists to stop sticking gold leaf on prayer wheel
There has been a call for Thai tourists to stop adhering gold leaf to an ancient prayer wheel at a temple in Hong Kong. A Thai tour guide‘s Facebook post drew attention to the unusual practice, suggesting that the temple’s authorities had said it was the work of Thai visitors. The act of sticking gold leaf to the wheel is…
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Thailand and Laos aim for US$11 billion bilateral trade boost with enhanced transport links
Thailand and Laos have set in motion plans to increase the value of bilateral trade to US$11 billion (395.7 billion baht) within the next two years, as announced by government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. This ambitious target was a significant point of discussion during a meeting between the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and his Lao counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone. Covering an…
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YouTrip sets sights on Southeast Asian expansion
Southeast Asian fintech giant YouTrip is gearing up for regional expansion, backed by a successful funding round that raised US$50 million (1.84 billion baht). The round witnessed participation from new investors, including global venture capital firm Lightspeed. This Singapore-based multi-currency digital payments platform has managed to amass over US$100 million (3.68 billion baht) in funding since its inception. The newly…
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Thai tourism bodies urge government to rebuild confidence with Chinese tourists
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) called on the government to restore confidence in Chinese tourists via mainland tour agents, emphasising that this approach can guarantee tourist safety. TCT president, Chamnan Srisawat, suggested that the government should exercise caution before deciding on a permanent exemption from visas for the Chinese market. The…
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Kanchanaburi aims to become a top health tourism destination with its new Wellness Association
The Kanchanaburi province, in collaboration with the Kanchanaburi Wellness Association, has combined their health-focused soft power efforts to establish Kanchanaburi: City of Health and Happiness. The meeting took place yesterday in the Khun Chang room at River Kwae Kanchanaburi Hotel, led by Yupha Naka Pannich, the province governor. Key attendants included Abhichai Chai Chomphu, head of the provincial office, Ratchanee Phothisattaya,…
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Nightlife extension in Pattaya to 4am could boost tourism, says city business chief
The president of the Pattaya City Night Business Association is optimistic about the potential of nightlife extension activities until 4am. However, she noted that the current directive only applies to the U-Tapao Airport area. She urged the government to better understand the unique dynamics of Pattaya, a city heavily reliant on tourism. Lisa Hamilton voiced her concerns that while the government…
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Scrapping immigration forms may boost Malaysian tourist influx in Thailand
Tourism professionals in Songkhla have voiced their desire for the discontinuation of the TM6 immigration paperwork as an additional border checkpoint and the eradication of extra-time service charges, as these measures continue to slow the influx of tourists from Malaysia. The government gave its approval this week to scrap the TM6 forms from November 1 to April 30, 2024, at…
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The Mall Group plans to extend opening hours to promote Thailand tourism
Thailand Mall Group Co-chairwoman Supaluck Umpujh proposed a novel strategy to invigorate the nation’s economy by attracting a greater influx of foreign tourists. She insists that the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the tourism sector are moving in the right direction but advocates for the introduction of special incentives to stimulate investments in artificial tourist attractions across the nation. Supaluck also…
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