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 How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you...
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Dugong to the rescue: Calf gets a nursery boost after Krabi solo act
A young dugong calf, found alone near Koh Poda in Krabi, has been transferred to a nursery in Trang for care and medical attention. Tourists discovered the calf yesterday and promptly notified officials from the Andaman Sea Lower Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, confirmed the incident and detailed…
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Thai PM calls for tourist safety in Phuket ahead of high season
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin insists tourist safety in Phuket must be prioritised ahead of the upcoming high season. The Thai premier made these remarks during a meeting with tourism-related agencies in Phuket yesterday, August 12, to prepare for the high tourist season from September to February. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Provincial Police Region…
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Brawl erupts on Karon Beach between tourists and local workers
A photo posted on a popular social media page in Phuket today ignited controversy after capturing a brawl on Karon Beach. The image depicted a group of Indian tourists in a physical altercation with local workers responsible for managing beach umbrellas. The caption accompanying the post read: #Clashing! Brawl on Karon Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province. A group…
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Photo of tourist at Thai temple sparks online debate
A photograph posted by the well-known influencer Toffee, known as Toffee the Computer Repairing Ladyboy, sparked a heated debate online. The image, taken at the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, shows a tourist stepping on a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, leading to widespread criticism on social media. The controversy divided opinions. Some believe the foreign tourist’s behaviour is…
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Jasmine flower shortage raises prices for Mother’s Day
Skyrocketing prices and a shortage of local jasmine flowers marked this Mother’s Day, driven by fluctuating weather conditions. In Khon Kaen, many florists at the Thetsabarn 1 Fresh Market have turned to imports from Indonesia due to more affordable prices. A 65 year old florist, Noorian, noted that continuous rain has hindered the blooming of local jasmine flowers this year.…
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VietJet to receive ten Airbus jets amid aircraft shortages
VietJet, the Vietnamese budget airline, will receive up to ten Airbus jets this year, as revealed today. The delivery comes as local airlines grapple with aircraft shortages driven by engine recalls and elevated leasing costs. VietJet announced the upcoming arrival of new jets, specifically the A321neo ACF model, starting this month. This move is part of a significant expansion, with…
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Mother’s Day tourism in Thailand to generate 9.39 billion baht
Tourism income from 2.6 million domestic trips during the Mother’s Day holiday this year is expected to reach 9.39 billion baht, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This figure shows a slight decline from the 9.58 billion baht revenue recorded during the back-to-back long holidays in July. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool attributed the weaker projection for the Mother’s…
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Pattaya vendors fined for causing a ‘jam’ on Pattaya-Naklua road
Vendors operating along Pattaya-Naklua Road have come under scrutiny for causing traffic congestion with their sidecars while selling goods and food. This issue prompted numerous complaints from both residents and tourists, urging the city to take action. In response, Pattaya municipal officers inspected the area. During their visit, officials informed the vendors about their violations, highlighting how their roadside stalls…
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Phuket launches urgent cleanup to boost tourism on Karon Beach
Phuket officials initiated an urgent cleanup operation at Karon Beach, aiming to address concerns over its impact on tourism. Governor Sophon Suwannarat led a meeting with the local Joint Public and Private Sector Committee on Economic Development, focusing on regulating beach umbrellas at Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Patong Beach. The cleanup drive targets the removal of beach umbrellas and…
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Chiang Mai selects local dishes for One Province, One Menu
Chiang Mai has selected some local dishes for the One Province, One Menu initiative across three categories, with three dishes per category. The chosen dishes, including Khao Bai Pla Buang and Khanom Pad, advanced in a meeting held in Room 5, Fifth Floor, Administrative Building, Chiang Mai Provincial Hall. Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pong-itsitthaworn assigned Deputy Governor Weerapong Ritrod to…
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Thai hotels face 111 million baht loss after FTI Group collapse
The collapse of German tour company FTI Group has resulted in significant financial losses for Thai hotels, totalling over 111 million baht. Hotel operators in Thailand are now seeking assistance from the German Embassy through coordination with the Tourism and Sports Ministry. FTI Group, the third-largest tour operator in Europe, filed for insolvency in June, impacting tourists and operators across…
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Phuket motorists disrupted by Heroines Underpass pole relocation
Motorists in Phuket should prepare for further disruptions at the Heroines Monument as Thalang Traffic Police continue the relocation of power poles along Thepkrasattri Road. This work is part of the preparations for constructing the Heroines Underpass. The initial phase of this relocation project, which started last Wednesday, July 31, has been completed. Yesterday, August 4, Thalang Traffic Police announced…
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Villagers flock to Pattaya for blessed amulets from revered monk
Excitement filled the air at Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Foundation in Pattaya City today as villagers and amulet enthusiasts gathered to secure amulets from Luang Pu Buaket Pathumsiro, a revered monk from the eastern region. The Barami Pathumsiro model, believed to bestow blessings, attracted significant interest. This initiative aims to raise funds for Bang Lamung Hospital. Since early morning, parents, siblings, and…
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Pattaya rebranding as family-friendly destination to boost tourism
Pattaya’s tourism operators have put forth a proposal to the tourism minister, aiming to transform the city’s image into a family-friendly destination, distancing it from associations with sex tourism and illegal gambling. The Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation (ACTF) recently convened with Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to discuss the initiative. The meeting also included insights from a workshop that…
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Kuwaitis face deportation after Pattaya confrontation with Thais
Pattaya City police have initiated a detailed investigation following a violent confrontation between Thai and Kuwaiti nationals on Soi Yensabai this weekend. The Kuwaiti suspects are facing potential deportation after legal proceedings, according to police sources. The investigation is being led by Deputy Commander of Pattaya Police Station, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirach Nuethes, along with Superintendent of Tourist Police Division…
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Thai tourists favour China and Japan over South Korea
A marked decline in the number of Thai tourists travelling to South Korea has been observed over the past seven months, with many opting instead for trips to China and Japan. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that 20,150 Thais visited South Korea in June, a significant drop from the 25,023 recorded during the same period last year. This downward…
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Officials tee up hunt for wayward crocodile at Phuket golf course
Officials in Phuket are stepping up efforts to capture a crocodile spotted at Mission Hills Golf Course. The sighting on July 31 prompted an urgent response from local authorities and specialist crocodile capture teams. It seems the croc is making a real ‘swing’ at disrupting the course, and officials are keen to ‘par’ the situation before it escalates. Nikhom Suksawat,…
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Pattaya City launches nature restoration to enhance ecotourism
Pattaya City has embarked on a significant nature restoration project aimed at enhancing ecotourism and revitalising the ecosystem in the Na Kluea area. The initiative kicked off with a ceremony at Khlong Nok Yang in Na Kluea, attended by local officials, including Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampiches, Pattaya City Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai, and the mayor’s secretary, Phumipat Kamolnat. The…
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Thailand targets 8 million Chinese tourists in 2024 amid diverse strategies
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious target of 8 million Chinese tourist arrivals for 2024 and is diversifying its focus to niche markets with significant purchasing power, such as young travellers, small meeting groups, and caravan tours. “Demand among Chinese is not enough to entice Chinese airlines to increase flights to Thailand,” said Nonglux Yooyendee, director…
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Motorbike taxi driver assaults UAE tourists in Patong
Patong Police are still yet to confirm any action taken against a motorbike taxi driver who assaulted two tourists from the United Arab Emirates in Soi Saen Sabai on July 29. The incident took place in front of the Hallo Massage shop, leaving the two tourists injured. The police were alerted to the situation around 10pm. The victims, identified as…
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SCB X delays end of Robinhood food delivery service
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) X PCL has made a significant decision to delay the termination of its Robinhood food delivery service, initially planned for the end of this month. The company yesterday, July 29, submitted a formal request to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to extend the service’s operation. Manop Sangiambut, Chief Financial Officer of SCB X, revealed the…
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Man dies after fainting and falling off bicycle in Phuket
A 60 year old man tragically died early today, falling off his bicycle after fainting en route to Thalang Hospital in Phuket for his regular medication. Police Captain Kraisorn Boonprasop of Thalang Police was alerted to the incident at approximately 6.50am and promptly arrived at the scene with Pol. Lt. Sin Saijit and an EMS Advance Unit from Thalang Hospital.…
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Chinese tourist found dead after swimming at Karon Beach
A Chinese tourist who went missing after swimming at Karon Beach on Thursday night was found dead on the rocks near Freedom Beach in Mueang district. The body was discovered by a fisherman yesterday morning, July 29. Police were alerted about the discovery around 9.30am, according to Khundet Na Nong Khai, chief of Karon police. Emergency responders who arrived at…
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Thailand anticipates record 2.2 million Russian tourists in 2024
Thailand’s tourism sector is set to witness a surge in Russian travellers, with projections indicating a record 2.2 million arrivals next year, buoyed by a new 60-day visa-free scheme. However, a shortage of aircraft in Russian airlines poses a challenge, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). In 2025, TAT aims for a 7.5% increase in revenue, targeting 39…
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Foreign tourists found safe after night search in Doi Nang Mo forest
San Kamphaeng police, forest officers, and other relevant agencies initiated a search at 8.30pm yesterday, July 28, for two missing foreign tourists who had become lost in the Doi Nang Mo forest area near the Mae Pha Nhaen Reservoir in Chiang Mai. The search was prompted by the coordinates sent by the tourists before their signal was lost. The dense…
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Thailand’s walking tourism boosts local culture, sustainability
Walking tourism is increasingly popular as travellers seek to immerse themselves in local cultures and explore neighbourhoods more intimately. The United Nations Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) notes that walking tourism fosters a deeper connection with local communities, nature, and culture. This growing trend aligns with the global push for sustainable tourism and satisfies the rising demand for outdoor activities. However, the…
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Thailand welcomes 20 million tourists in seven months
Thailand experienced a significant surge in tourism, welcoming 20 million foreign tourists in the first seven months of the year, marking about half of the pre-Covid-19 levels. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on X, formerly Twitter, that from January 1 to July 25, more than 20 million international visitors arrived in Thailand, reflecting a 34% increase from last year. Acknowledging…
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Phetchaburi unveils arch to celebrate Thai king’s 72nd birthday
Phetchaburi Governor Nattachai Namphoonsuksan presided over the inauguration of a celebratory arch to mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua‘s 72nd birthday tomorrow, July 28, enhancing the area’s tourism appeal. Governor Nattachai led the ceremony with local government officials, students, and residents participating. The event took place in front of Ban Tha Takhro Mittraphap 192…
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Central Group, Thai banks initiate tourist QR payments
The Central Group of companies, which includes Central Retail Corporation, Central Pattana, and Centara Hotels and Resorts, has joined forces with the Bank of Thailand and six leading commercial banks to launch a cross-border QR payment service for tourists. The banks involved in this collaboration are Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungthai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, and CIMB Thai…
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Thailand eases visa rules to attract long-term visitors
New visa regulations issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made it significantly easier to visit and stay in the country long-term. The number of countries eligible for visa-free entry has increased from 57 to 93, now including India and China. Visitors from these countries will receive a 60-day entry stamp, which can be extended for another 30 days…
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