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 taxis: Drivers demand action against illegal private car services
Over 100 public transport operators, including metered taxi drivers, green plate taxis, and passenger van drivers, assembled at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to formally complain. They are demanding that the Phuket provincial government take more robust action against illegal private car services operating through taxi apps on the island. The formal complaint was received by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan…
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British man suffers broken nose after stumbling over road stud in Pattaya (video)
President of the Pattaya Entertainment Business Association urged local authorities to take action after a British man stumbled on a stud on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya and suffered a broken nose. CCTV footage along Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya showed a British man crossing the road and tripping over the road stud. He fell to the ground as his…
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5 good reasons to visit Koh Samui in 2023
Thailand’s “coconut island” has come a long way since its hippy heyday in the 1970s. Today, jet-set travellers rub shoulders with the tabloids’ favourite celebrities, while major golf events and regattas have become annual pilgrimages. So, now you’re thinking about a lazy leisurely holiday on this tantalisingly tropical island? The only question is … when to go? January – BBQ Season…
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Krabi’s national park sees revenue surge to 270 million baht
Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi witnessed an impressive surge in its yearly revenue, exceeding 270 million baht (US$7.47 million). This financial leap has resulted in the park becoming Thailand’s highest-grossing national park. As Thailand prepares for the influx of tourists during the high season in the following month, Ratchanok Paenoi, the park’s chief, has reported…
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Flight flab: Thai airlines weigh in on passenger pounds
Several airlines have introduced weight checks for passengers and their luggage before boarding to calculate standard and average passenger weight. This passenger weigh-in measure, initiated today, allows airlines to distribute weight more effectively on international flights, thus reducing fuel usage. Foreign airlines have implemented the passenger weigh-in rule to investigate and calculate standard and average passenger weight. The collected data…
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Sky skirmish looms: Low-cost airlines face turbulence from price-dumping giants
The survival of emerging low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia could be threatened as dominant airlines may resort to price-dumping strategies to safeguard their market share. The airline industry’s seat recovery is also projected to take a decade to fully bounce back. Really Cool Airlines’ Chief Executive, Patee Sarasin, previously the chief executive of Nok Air, expects to obtain the Air…
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Phuket tourism industry generates 370 billion baht in eight months
Over the past eight months, the tourism industry in Phuket has managed to amass a substantial revenue of nearly 370 billion baht, as reported by the President of the Phuket Tourism Association. This encouraging development signals a significant rebound from the adverse effects of Covid-19, with the present surge in tourist numbers representing a remarkable 40% year-on-year rise when compared…
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Phuket to introduce ‘baht bus’ style transport service in tourist hotspot
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) is currently accepting applications from operators to establish a circular ‘baht bus’ style public transportation system in Phuket’s busiest tourist area. The announcement was made on the PLTO’s official Facebook page yesterday, with three separate notices for potential operators to provide bus transport services within Patong. Two of these notices outlined two circular routes, while…
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Thai tourism hit as gun violence prompts Chinese visitor cancellations
The Thai government has been urged to tighten gun control measures by Chiang Mai hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in the aftermath of the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting on October 3. The incident, which resulted in the death of three people, including a Chinese tourist, and injured four others, has shaken the confidence of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fallout…
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Thai visa extension for Russians sparks mixed industry reactions
The Thai Cabinet’s decision to extend the stay period for Russian tourists under the visa extension to 90 days, from the previous 30 days, has sparked mixed reactions. While some tourism operators fear an increase in illegal work activity, others in the south see potential for a boost in spending. The new policy, announced on Monday, aims to stimulate the…
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Lost in Phuket: Stranded British man seeks help as wife takes passport and sails away
A stranded British man, faced with the loss of his passport and funds after a family disagreement, found himself stranded in Phuket. Assistance from the Tourist Police was sought after his wife, following the dispute, left with his travel documents and a portion of their belongings. The public became aware of the British man’s plight through a report by the…
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Phuket police crackdown on crime boosts safety for visa-free tourists
In a span of seven days, Phuket police apprehended 64 individuals in an effort to bolster the safety measures for tourists from China and Kazakhstan who are visiting under a visa-free arrangement. The Phuket Provincial Police’s campaign is primarily aimed at curbing crime rates, particularly drug-related offences, to uphold Phuket’s reputation as a safe tourist destination. According to a report…
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Traveloka reports surge in Thailand travel bookings amid slow aviation recovery
Travel bookings to Thailand have seen a significant surge, according to online travel agent Traveloka. The company’s president, Caesar Indra, highlighted that despite the slow recovery of the aviation sector, Thais have predominantly utilised their platform for air ticket bookings, veering towards less frequented destinations. This trend has been mirrored across numerous Asian markets. Indra reported a fivefold increase in…
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Thailand boosts tourism with free SIM cards and digital privileges for visitors
The Welcome Back to Thailand campaign, a collaborative endeavour by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Advanced Info Service (AIS), is ready to roll out. The initiative is designed to attract international tourists by offering them Amazing Thailand SIM cards, bundled with an array of digital privileges and services. As part of the campaign strategy, TAT plans to distribute…
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Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
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Chinese tourists drop by 75,093 following shooting in Bangkok
The Economic Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the number of Chinese tourists in Thailand last week fell by 75,093 compared to the previous week. The ministry said Thailand received 497,966 foreign tourists last week. This was 54,453 or 9.86% less than the previous week. The number of foreign tourists in the country decreased, especially Chinese…
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Phuket’s Chalong Pier sets sail for smart upgrade, boosting tourist experience
Phuket’s regional marine office has initiated the enhancement of its fourth private pier, Chalong Pier, to a smart pier to improve tourist services. The upgrade, which is in collaboration with several agencies including the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), is expected to cost around 60 million baht. At present, Phuket boasts three other smart piers: Ao Por Pier, Visit Panwa…
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Tourist turmoil: Thailand grapples with 10,000 unexpected Israeli guests amid conflict aftermath
Thailand is currently hosting approximately 10,000 Israeli tourists, a situation that arose due to the recent Israel-Gaza conflict. The country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is monitoring the effects of this situation on its tourism sector. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Tourism and Sports Minister stated that while numerous airlines have suspended flights between Thailand and Israel, El Al Airlines, Israel’s national airline, has…
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French mother demands justice for son sexually assaulted by Thai man in Koh Samui
A French mother is demanding justice after her seven year old son was sexually assaulted by a predatory Thai pedophile in a grocery store on Koh Samui island in Thailand. Remarkably, despite her son being the victim of a sickening sexual assault, the French mother had her passport confiscated after the suspect filed an assault charge against her. To add further…
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Airbnb’s Thai-cation: Boosting GDP and jobs in the Land of Smiles, study shows
A recent study by Oxford Economics highlights the significant role played by Airbnb in Thailand’s tourism sector, making a substantial contribution to the country’s GDP and job market. According to the report commissioned by Airbnb, the platform made a substantial 31 billion baht contribution to Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product in 2022, supporting almost 56,500 jobs. This translates to approximately 1.7%…
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Fin-tastic feast: Seafood sensation set to make waves in Sri Racha
In the coastal district of Sri Racha, a fin-tastic feast is on the horizon as the year-end seafood festival gears up to tantalize taste buds from tomorrow until October 8. The Sri Racha Clean Food & Seafood Festival 2023, an eagerly awaited annual event, will be hosted on the third floor of the Central Sri Racha Shopping Centre. Seafood enthusiasts…
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Thailand’s tourism ministry to compensate shooting victims amid regulatory gap
The aftermath of the recent Siam Paragon shooting has unveiled an apparent regulatory gap in Thailand’s support mechanism for distressed tourists. A previous government disbanded the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund – a safety net providing financial aid for tourists in times of adversity, and a replacement source of funding had not been set in place. The Tourism and Sports Ministry,…
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Thailand tourism threatened, Bangkok mall shooting deters Chinese tourists
The tragic shooting at Siam Paragon in the heart of Bangkok yesterday has potentially hampered Thailand tourism. Thousands of Chinese netizens criticised the incident on Weibo, some even stating they would never visit Thailand again. Several casualties, including Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese nationals, resulted from the incident. As soon as the unfortunate event occurred, the hashtag #Paragon started trending on Twitter. The…
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Pattaya’s October extravaganza: A month of thrilling events to boost tourism
October promises to be an exhilarating month for Pattaya, with a plethora of intriguing events lined up to stimulate city tourism. There is a range of activities from sports tournaments to cultural festivals, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The International Beach Tennis Tournament Pattaya Open is set to kick off on Friday, October 6, and conclude on Saturday,…
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Si Thep Historical Park battles overcrowding after UNESCO world heritage listing
A significant influx of visitors to Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun sparked concerns among officials, following its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list on September 19. The province was ill-prepared for the escalated tourist numbers, leading to calls for immediate action to protect the park and manage the crowds. Chatchaval Benchasiriwong, the 54 year old deputy governor…
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Thailand and Italy cook up a delicious deal for gastronomy and tourism
A mutual agreement has been reached between Thailand and Italy to collaboratively promote the gastronomy and tourism sectors of both nations, according to Thai trade representative, Nalinee Taveesin. The Thai-Italian collaboration announcement was made on Sunday, with Italy expressing an increased interest in investing in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Such an understanding was gleaned from a recent meeting between…
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Tourism body urges Thai government to lift Malaysian bus restrictions
A plea has been lodged by the Tourism Association of Phatthalung to the government, urging for the removal of restrictions that prevent Malaysian buses from entering Thailand‘s southern provinces. The goal is to revitalise local tourism, currently experiencing a lull due to these limitations. Jarun Kaewjeesub, the president of the Tourism Association of Phatthalung, declared that a separate letter will…
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Thai visa-free scheme boosts Chinese tourism, domestic travel surges
The Thai government’s visa-free scheme for Chinese and Kazakh tourists is proving to be a success, according to the country’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin. Running from September 25 to February 29, the scheme coincides with several significant Chinese holidays and forms part of the government’s Quick Win strategy to stimulate the economy. PM Srettha, who shared his…
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Chiang Mai airport’s 24/7 operation boosts hopes for tourism rebound
The tourism sector is gearing up for an influx of foreign visitors as Chiang Mai Airport prepares to operate round-the-clock from November. This move is expected to open up the northern region to more international tourists arriving on direct flights. Sittipong Wongsomboon, general manager of Northern Smile Travel, stated that the average hotel occupancy rate for September had dipped to…
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Taxi turmoil on Pattaya Beach Road: Bangkok driver’s threatening encounter
In the early hours yesterday, Pattaya City Police received a complaint from a Bangkok taxi driver alleging that he was threatened by an unidentified man he believed to be a Pattaya taxi driver. The incident took place on Pattaya Beach Road, where Chanai Waisuwan was trapped in a traffic jam while heading back to Bangkok after dropping off a passenger…
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