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 Top 5 social media marketing companies in Thailand
As a business owner, you probably already know that social media has become an essential tool to reach new customers. According to the 2023 Social Media Marketing Industry Report, the majority of marketers reported positive outcomes from their social media...
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Survey reveals Chinese tourists’ spending habits in Thailand
The majority of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the second quarter of this year were lured by the country’s delectable cuisine and exotic fruits, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand. The Council’s report, published last Thursday, July 4, surveyed 205 Chinese nationals. The participants included 44% from Mainland China, 24% from Hong Kong, 18% from Taiwan, and 14% from…
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Thailand ranks 6th best for expats
Thailand ranks 6th best country for expats, according to InterNations‘ annual report, maintaining its position from last year. The survey, conducted in February, gathered responses from over 12,500 expats and evaluated 53 countries on various indices, including quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and essential services like housing, administration, language, and digital life. Panama took…
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Thailand on track to upgrade third-class trains with air-con & seats
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to improve the service and facilities of its third-class trains by spending 780 million baht on new seats and air conditioning. For the first phase, 130 third-class carriages will be equipped with air conditioning by next year. The Deputy Minister of Transport, Surapong Piyachote, told DailyNews that the SRT is now seeking operators…
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TAT unveils Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2024
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled the Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2024, designed to draw international tourists to Thailand and encourage spending at prominent shopping venues such as King Power Duty-Free, Siam Paragon, Emporium, EmQuartier, Emsphere, Icon Siam, and Gaysorn. The effort comes as Thailand experiences a significant surge in tourism, welcoming over 14 million visitors in the first…
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Thailand ranks 32nd globally for Muslim travel
Thailand secured the 32nd spot globally among popular destinations for Muslim travellers, as revealed in the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024. The Thai Prime Minister’s Office, through its spokesperson Chai Watcharong, highlighted this achievement, noting that Thailand also ranks 5th among non-Muslim countries (Non-OIC) in the same index. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is leveraging this accomplishment to…
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Thai outbound travel unaffected by cheap tour packages
Thai outbound tour groups remain largely unaffected by cheaper travel packages, as the majority of current outbound travellers possess high purchasing power and seek quality offerings. Price dumping for package tours has been prevalent in destinations such as South Korea, Macau, and Italy, leading to governmental crackdowns on these practices. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) Vice-President, Chotechuang Soorangura, remarked…
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Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Koh Samui looks for extended airport hours amid tourism surge
Tourism operators in Koh Samui are anticipating a surge in European visitors as the high season for the Gulf of Thailand approaches, advocating for extended operating hours at Samui airport to accommodate 20 additional daily flights, potentially boosting tourist numbers by 10 to 20%. President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, highlighted expectations for a complete recovery…
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Tourists swarm first durian café in Nakhon Ratchasima
Tourists flocked to Wang Nam Khiao’s first durian café in Nakhon Ratchasima, eager to sample 38 varieties of the fruit amidst cool, rainy weather. The Ploenchit Durian Garden, located in Ban Khlong Sai Village within Wang Nam Khiao district, saw a bustling atmosphere throughout the day. Visitors drove to the renowned garden, situated in the heart of the village, which…
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Chaos in Pattaya: Motorbike taxi drivers tarnish tourist hotspot
Pattaya City and Banglamung district officials are grappling with a surge in incidents involving motorcycle taxi drivers, jeopardising the area’s status as a top tourist destination. Disturbing reports have surfaced, highlighting assaults on foreign tourists and harassment of individuals mistaken for ride-hailing service drivers. These altercations have frequently escalated into heated verbal confrontations and even physical violence. In response to…
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Only 57% of Thais to holiday at home this quarter
A recent survey reveals a dramatic decline in domestic travel plans among Thais, with only 57% intending to holiday within the country in the third quarter of this year. This is a significant drop from 64% in the second quarter and a steep decline from 74% in the first quarter. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) surveyed 450 Thai nationals,…
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Thailand’s airports hit new highs as passenger numbers increase
Thailand’s six international airports, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), witnessed a record-breaking influx of passengers in the first five months of 2024. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a whopping 52.16 million travellers, marking a 20.28% rise compared to the same period last year. AOT manages six key airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, and Hat…
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Pattaya Sea Walker accident prompts police dive into safety checks
An unfortunate incident involving an Indian tourist prompted the Pattaya Tourist Police to inspect a Sea Walker business, a popular water activity in the area. The tourist suffered severe injuries while participating in the Sea Walker experience and needed urgent medical care at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. The Sea Walker activity involves participants wearing helmets that supply air while they explore…
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Pattaya introduces beach zoning to improve water tourism safety
Pattaya City and the Pattaya Marine Department are taking steps to revitalise the Pattaya Model plan to better regulate water tourism activities in Pattaya Bay. The initiative aims to enhance marine safety by implementing crucial zoning measures. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet and Director of the Pattaya Regional Marine Department, Ekkarat Kantaro, discussed these plans in a recent meeting. Poramase noted that…
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Phuket’s inadequate infrastructure development raises concerns
Inadequate infrastructure development in Phuket is struggling to match the island’s rapid urbanisation and severe flooding, tarnishing its reputation. The government’s failure to allocate sufficient budget and upgrade public facilities as promised is a significant concern. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, highlighted that 60% of tourists are first-time visitors who might not return if infrastructure issues…
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Thai hotels seek tax breaks for renovations and EV charger installs
Operators of Thai hotels are advocating for tax deductions or subsidies to support renovation investments, especially those focused on green energy initiatives. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also urged hotels in second-tier cities to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers to cater to the increasing number of travellers using EVs. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) is set to meet with…
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Thailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists
A tourism campaign featuring art toy mascot Labubu aims to draw eight million Chinese visitors and attract art toy enthusiasts globally, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated that Labubu’s selection as a promoter for Thai tourism is expected to enhance Thailand’s recognition among international tourists, in addition to the Chinese market. The…
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Spirited pilgrimage: Tourists flock to Kham Chanod for blessings
Tourists flocked to the sacred island of Kham Chanod to honour the revered spirits of Pu Srisuttho and Sriprathumma, driven by unwavering faith and the hope for good fortune. The island, located in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, saw an influx of visitors yesterday, many of whom were intrigued by the mysterious appearance of four frogs in the holy…
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Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds
Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Thailand tourism spending to miss 1.2tn baht target, rising costs
Thailand’s domestic tourism spending is projected to fall short of the government’s ambitious target of 1.2 trillion baht amid economic concerns and rising travel costs, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) indicates. TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Somradee Chitchong, expressed confidence that domestic trips would reach 210 million this year, surpassing the initial target of 200 million. Despite…
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Thailand raises Indian target to 2.4 million with visa-free policy
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revised its target for Indian tourist arrivals from 2.3 to 2.4 million this year, driven by the recently introduced visa-free policy for Indian nationals. This visa waiver programme, which allows 60-day visa-free stays, extends to citizens of 93 countries and will last until November 2024. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced that Indian arrivals…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world
Thailand has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful country in the world, according to the latest report by the World of Statistics. The ranking, which was shared on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, used global reports and data from the United States to determine the results. Thailand stands out as the 4th most beautiful country, following New…
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Rising travel costs hinder Asia-Pacific corporate travel, Visa reports
Rising travel costs and economic uncertainties are impacting business travel across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Visa. Companies are increasingly investing in digitalisation to manage their travel budgets more effectively. Chavi Jafa, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions for Asia-Pacific at Visa, noted that while business travel may increase in the coming years, current high travel costs and economic…
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Warning issued for venomous jellyfish at Phuket’s Racha Yai Island
A warning has been issued about the presence of the highly venomous Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish in the waters of Lah Bay and Tue Bay at Racha Yai Island, Phuket. Tourists and those engaging in marine activities in the area are advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid contact with these dangerous creatures. The Department of Marine and Coastal…
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Thailand’s tourist boom: Portuguese visitors surge by 44% this year
Thailand is basking in a mini tourist boom, with a staggering 44% increase in visitors from Portugal recorded between January and April. Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director for Southern Europe, is on a mission to shatter pre-pandemic records by luring over 52,000 Portuguese tourists this year. Ronnasiri shared her ambitions at the Thailand Festival in Lisbon. “We…
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HBO exec hails Koh Samui as paradise as White Lotus filming ends
HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has just wrapped up filming on Koh Samui for its highly anticipated Season 3. Scott Schaeffer, HBO’s Senior Vice President for Production, hailed Thailand as a cinematic paradise, praising its natural splendour and skilled local crews. Schaeffer’s glowing endorsement came during a high-profile meeting with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich and Ministry…
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Thailand’s national parks smash revenue records
Thailand’s national parks achieved a monumental milestone, breaking revenue records by collecting a whopping 1.785 billion baht between October 1 last year, and June 20 this year. This incredible sum surpasses the total amount collected in the whole of 2023, which stood at 1.467 billion baht. Leading the charge is the Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, Phi Phi Islands, raking…
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