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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Upcoming public holidays and impact on immigration office hours
Thailand is gearing up for three upcoming public holidays that will temporarily shut down government offices, including immigration departments. The first of these holidays, Coronation Day, falls on Thursday, May 4, and will be followed by a “bridge” continuation day on Friday, May 5. The Thai government announced these additional holidays last year as a means to boost domestic tourism…
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Apply now: TAT offers 500,000 baht to travel Thailand for 4 months
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is recruiting one lucky explorer to travel around Thailand for four months and document their adventures. The chosen “Tourist of Thailand” will receive 504,000 baht in spending money for their trip, travel vouchers, and other prizes. The TAT’s job advertisement reads… “Do you want to travel all over Thailand for free? It’s not hard!…
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Thailand’s Tourist Police earn praise for assisting stranded French and Canadian tourists
Thailand’s Tourist Police received praise in Thai media for assisting a French tourist and a Canadian tourist in need of help in Sa Keao province in eastern Thailand yesterday. Pol. Lt. Col. Jiraphat Khaewsiri, from the Sa Keao Tourist Police force, lead a patrol yesterday when he spotted a foreign woman walking along the Suwannasorn Road. As soon as she…
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TAT expects more Chinese and Thai tourists in Phuket for Labour Day weekend
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects more Chinese and Thai tourists to visit Thailand’s picturesque island province of Phuket during the Labour Day weekend. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn reported a 60% improvement in tourism from January to March 2023 compared to the same period last year, with 6,518,578 foreign visitors generating 334.7 million baht. Speaking to Thai media, Yuthasak…
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Bank of Thailand predicts 28 million foreign tourists this year
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) predicts that the Land of Smiles will see 28 million tourists this year. The BoT’s governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, said the BoT expects a 3.6% expansion in the gross domestic product (GDP) for this year. The BoT predicts a GDP growth of 2.9% in the first half of this year from the same period last year,…
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Chinese tourists return for May Day holidays, boosting international bookings
After a long hiatus due to travel restrictions and pandemic-related concerns, Chinese tourists are gearing up for international travel once again. According to DidaTravel, a tech-driven global travel distribution company, Chinese travellers are eager to explore the world and bookings for trips abroad are recovering fast. The upcoming May Day holiday, which runs from April 29 until May 3 and…
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Increase in international fights expected for Hua Hin Airport this year
The number of international flights to and from Hua Hin Airport is expected to increase in the near future, according to John LaRoche, CEO of the Phoenix Group, which is leading the upgrade of the airport. Speaking at the recent meeting of the Royal Coast Riviera Club on Friday, April 21, LaRoche said that despite various setbacks, including the pandemic,…
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Pattaya tourism boom leads to a traffic nightmare
As tourism in Pattaya continues to recover at an incredible pace, the city is faced with a downside – heavy traffic. Two significant bottlenecks were observed this month: one on Thepprasit Road, close to the Kaan and Colosseum theatres, and another on Second Road close to the South Road intersection. Additionally, areas such as Soi Regional Land in south Pattaya…
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Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas
A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…
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Thailand’s Raja Ferry temporarily suspends Pha Ngan – Sumui route
Raja Ferry Port Company suspended all ferry services between Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand from Sunday – Wednesday (April 23-25). The company made an official announcement on Saturday… “Raja Ferry Port will suspend ferry service from Pha Ngan to Samui and Samui to Pha Ngan route from 23-25 April 2023. Customers who…
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Tourism to Thailand’s Koh Kradan jumps sixfold after winning title as best beach on earth
Thailand’s Koh Kradan island in Trang province is welcoming more than 2000 tourists per day since the island was voted ‘best beach on earth‘ by the UK website World Beach Guide last month, according to Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. “After Koh Kradan was ranked the best beach on earth, the number of tourists has jumped to 2000…
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Nok Air makes final flight to Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand
Nok Air flew from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son Airport in northern Thailand for the final time yesterday, bidding farewell to the route for good. The province, home to the popular backpacker town Pai, is now only accessible by road since Nok Air was the only airline servicing the airport commercially. Governor of Mae Hong Son province Chettha Mosikarat, Tourism Authority…
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Phuket anticipates 60% hotel occupancy after Songkran
Thailand’s tropical paradise of Phuket anticipates a hotel occupancy rate of around 60% now that the Songkran Festival is over. There’s been a jump in the number of Chinese arrivals, even as the low season approaches, Bangkok Post reported. According to Sueksit Suvunditkul, president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, hotel bookings were at 86% occupancy in the…
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Thai govt postpones tourism tax due to airlines’ complaints
The Thai government has announced the postponement of the planned 300-baht (US$9) tourism tax from June to September due to complaints from airlines. The fee was proposed to help the Thai tourism sector recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, with a 150 baht sum for overland visitors and a 300-baht fee for airline passengers. However, airlines raised concerns about the implementation…
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Top 5 Phuket restaurants for a luxurious afternoon break
Phuket restaurant scene offers a plethora of elegant spots for a luxurious afternoon break, catering to those who seek a truly indulgent experience. The beautiful island of Phuket is not only renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife but also boasts an impressive array of upscale dining establishments. From beachfront lounges to opulent hotel restaurants, the island has something…
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Discover dreamy treehouse resorts in Thailand
If you’re looking for a unique and adventurous way to experience Thailand, why not consider staying in one of the country’s dreamy treehouse hotels? These treehouse resorts in Thailand offer guests an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while still enjoying the luxuries and comforts of a high-end resort. Nestled high up in the treetops, these treehouses provide breathtaking…
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Thailand’s Similan Islands to close next month
Thailand’s Similan Islands were bustling with tourists during the Songkran holidays but will soon be much quieter when the archipelago closes for a period of environmental restoration on May 19. The marine park will be closed off to tourists during the monsoon season and will reopen again on October 15, 2023, after nature has had a chance to recover from…
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Injuries increased by 81% during Songkran, road fatalities decreased
Hospital admissions during the Songkran Festival spiked by 81% due to road accidents A significant 81% rise in hospital admissions has been reported due to an alarming 19% increase in the number of people injured in road accidents during the Songkran Festival, as stated by the Ministry of Public Health. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, expressed his concern…
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Thailand set to cruise into marine tourism boom with revived project
Thailand’s Marine Department is set to revive the Cruise Terminal Development Project to cater for the growth in marine tourism. In 2018, Thailand ranked third globally for most cruise ship stopovers, with 581 ships stopping per year and 14% growth year on year. Despite this growth, the country lacks a legitimate standard cruise terminal. A department report showed that the…
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Miracle in the Gulf of Thailand: No casualties reported after ferry sinks
Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sutthipong Julcharoen reported no casualties on the ferry that sank en route between Koh Samui and mainland Surat Thani yesterday. The ferry sank at Don Sak pier after passengers and vehicles had left the vessel. No one was injured, according to the Interior Ministry. Sutthipong revealed that the R10 ferry of Raja Ferry Co sank at…
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Beware of passport scam targetting British nationals in Thailand warns UK Foreign Office
The British Foreign Office issued a warning to both UK residents and expats in Thailand about a passport scam that is currently targetting British nationals in the kingdom. Fraudsters are attempting to capitalize on the recent strikes by government workers in the UK, which have caused delays in passport renewals, by promising to bypass the three-month waiting period for a…
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Speed demon down: Former world motorcycle champ crashes near Phuket
A former world motorcycle racing champion, who holds multiple speed records, has been involved in an accident near Phuket. Eric Teboul, better known in the motorcycle community as “Rocketman” after breaking the world quarter mile record on a bike just months ago, collided with another Honda ridden by Oleg Afanasenko, a Russian holidaymaker, on a bend near the scenic viewpoint…
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Thailand travel 2023: Unveiling Instagram worthy wonders
Thailand Travel 2023 is even more exciting with these most Instagram worthy spots in the country that will leave your feed looking nothing short of spectacular. Thailand, the mesmerizing jewel of Southeast Asia, has long been a favourite destination for globetrotters and photographers alike. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and mouthwatering cuisine, Thailand provides endless opportunities for awe-inspiring…
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TAT expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during Songkran
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects Phuket to generate at least 4.5 billion baht during the Songkran Festival, with over 200,000 tourists expected to visit the island province. The director of TAT’s Phuket Office, Lertchai Wangtrakundee, stated that 84% of hotel rooms have already been booked from April 13 to April 16. Additionally, 258 international flights with 48,302 passengers…
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Fruitless: Tourists they face jail time for bringing fruits to Thailand, govt warns
The Thai government issued a warning to tourists that it would be fruitless to bring fruits into Thailand unless they wanted to go to jail. The Department of Agriculture specifically stated that transporting fresh fruit into Thailand without a phytosanitary certificate could result in a fine of 20,000 baht or a jail sentence of one year. The director-general of the…
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South Korean Embassy in Thailand ‘boogies’ to celebrate Songkran Festival (video)
The South Korean Embassy in Thailand got down and boogied in preparation for this week’s Songkran Festival. The embassy staff, including the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand, Moon Seoung-hyun, got into the Thai New Year festive spirit by taking part in the traditional “Ram Thai” dance. The two-minute video went viral, receiving over 400,000 views in just four days on…
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Bangkok voted No.3 top destination for backpackers 2023
Thailand‘s capital Bangkok sits among the top destinations for backpackers in 2023, according to UK retail company Cotswold Outdoor. Bangkok is a backpacker’s dream with cheap accommodation, delicious street food for a bargain, inexpensive beers, free activities, and a variety of public transport systems. While Thailand offers plenty of luxury travel options, it’s easy to have a blast in Bangkok…
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Airline industry blames rising costs for expensive airfares, is this true?
Expensive airfares look set to stay for the foreseeable future according to the airline industry. The industry is trotting out the usual excuses that the recent spike in expensive ticket prices is attributed to a rise in operational costs, including surging fuel prices and other factors. Nok Air CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, cited a surge in prices for aviation supply chain…
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Nok Air scraps only route to Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand
Nok Air flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son Airport in northern Thailand will be discontinued on April 19. The province, home to the popular backpacker town Pai, will be only accessible by road since Nok Air was the only airline servicing the airport commercially. The airline said they can no longer fly the Don Mueang – Mae Hong Son…
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Efforts doubled to preserve Koh Kradan, the Best Beach of Earth 2023
Koh Kradan took centre stage last week after being voted the “best beach” on earth. Now, Hat Chao Mai National Park made public it is doubling its effort to ensure it stays at the top of the list by preserving the beach and the surrounding area’s ecosystem. Hat Chao Mai National Park chief Prit Narasrit Koh Kradan revealed the marine…
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