Tourism News
Thailand tourism news, travel updates, visa policies, and destination highlights—stay informed on hospitality trends, cultural experiences, and major infrastructure projects. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand travel news.
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Toll fee waived on key expressways and motorways for Songkran
The Transport Ministry will waive toll and expressway fees on several key routes during Songkran as part of a 10-day travel safety plan running from April 10 to 19. It aims to cut crashes, deaths and injuries on the ministry’s road network by at least 5%. The campaign is being run under the slogan “No matter what time you leave,…
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Tourist says they fear dogs, not humans, when walking on Thai streets
A foreign tourist has shared a video comparing walking safety in California and Thailand, saying she felt less concerned about people in Thailand but stayed alert for dogs that might chase her on the street. In the clip, the tourist described what she called the “main differences between California and Thailand” when walking outdoors. She said that in the United…
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Chiang Mai buffet diner refuses 259-baht bill, argues for an hour
A buffet dispute has drawn attention online after a Chiang Mai restaurant owner posted on Facebook yesterday, March 24, about a Chinese customer who allegedly refused to pay after eating, prompting the shop to call the police to mediate. The post was shared by a Facebook user who identified themself as the owner of a Shabu buffet restaurant in Chiang…
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CAAT cuts Songkran air fares by 15% to 30% to ease travel costs
Air fares on selected domestic routes will be cut by 15 to 30% over the Songkran holiday period, Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has said, as it works with six major airlines to ease travel costs during one of the year’s busiest travel peaks. CAAT said it has been closely monitoring aviation conditions after conflict in the Middle East disrupted…
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American stays inside Suvarnabhumi for ten days, cites airfare rise
An American man who posted videos claiming he had been staying inside Suvarnabhumi International Airport for ten days has drawn widespread attention online, after saying higher airfares linked to war left him unable to travel onward. According to the Instagram account @rastagraphy, the man had been staying at the airport for ten days. He documented his routine at the airport…
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Thailand to cut visa-free stay to 30 days, Foreign Ministry says
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry is preparing to ask the government to cut the visa-free stay for eligible foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeo said on March 20. Sihasak said the 60-day visa exemption policy was introduced under the government of Srettha Thavisin to support Thai tourism, which he noted remains important to the country’s economic…
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Thailand tourism overrated claim prompts debate online
A foreign woman criticised Thai tourism, describing Thailand as “overrated” and citing high accommodation costs, food hygiene concerns, poor transport experiences, crowded islands, rubbish and unfriendly locals. The woman shared her experiences of travelling in Thailand in a video that was later reposted by local news outlet TravelNews. In the clip, she said she spent two weeks in the country…
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Indonesia Tourism Xchange 2026 to unite industry leaders for a forward-looking dialogue on the future of travel
Indonesia’s tourism and hospitality sector will gain a new national industry platform with the launch of Indonesia Tourism Xchange 2026 (ITX 2026), a focused forum bringing together hotel owners, operators, investors, and senior decision-makers from across the archipelago to examine the forces shaping the country’s tourism economy at a time of renewed growth and increasing complexity. Taking place on May…
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Aircraft graveyard clip filmed by foreigner raises entry questions
On March 7, a foreign Instagram user posted footage showing dozens of abandoned aircraft in what was described as a “Thai Air Force aircraft graveyard,” prompting Thai social media users to question how the person accessed the site. The clip was shared by the Instagram account @ruffy_the_travelbuddy, which posted a video walking around an old aircraft hangar area. The post…
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Cambodia temple photo spot compared to Wat Mahathat landmark
Photos shared online yesterday, March 10, showed what appeared to be a newly built photo spot at a temple in Cambodia that resembled Wat Mahathat’s Buddha head in tree roots in Ayutthaya, raising questions about imitating one of Thailand’s best-known landmarks. Many social media users noted that the structure in Cambodia looked newly constructed, with some commenting that the cement…
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Foreign tourists join ‘Thank you, Thailand’ trend with humorous holiday round-ups
A “Thank You, Thailand” video challenge gained popularity among foreign tourists sharing end-of-trip round-ups after holidays in the country, with clips listing everything from meals and massages to upset stomachs and monkey encounters. The video challenge reportedly began late last year. Many of the videos are filmed at Thai airports and posted with captions that summarise the trip using a…
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Foreign woman alleges rude treatment in Thailand, sparking controversy
A foreign woman drew criticism online after posting a TikTok video claiming Thai people were rude to her by ignoring her questions due to language barriers. The foreign tourist, who identified herself as Farah, shared the video on her TikTok account @fdontcare on February 21. In the caption, she wrote, “So bad I love it here but be ready for…
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Japanese tourist shares Thai coconut ice cream as surprise favourite
Thai coconut ice cream with sticky rice topping drew attention online after a Japanese bicycle touring blogger posted about the dessert on X, prompting reactions from both Japanese and Thai users. The cyclist shared a photo of a cone of coconut milk ice cream with sticky rice on Sunday, February 15. In a Japanese-language caption, he said… “I bought some…
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TAT welcomes Chinese tourists at Suvarnabhumi for Chinese New Year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a welcome event for Chinese visitors at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday, February 17, as the Chinese New Year 2026 travel period continues. The reception took place at Suvarnabhumi, where TAT organised activities to greet travellers arriving from Shanghai, China. Those taking part in the welcome included TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool and Patanong Na…
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Thailand to revise visa policies in economy revamp efforts
Thailand’s Cabinet has formally approved a new phase of visa policy changes aimed at attracting more tourists, digital nomads, students, and retirees as part of a broader economic stimulus strategy. Deputy government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the Cabinet has endorsed a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covering short-, medium-, and long-term visa measures. The…
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Tourist in Koh Samui removes ice from drink, fears its ‘unsafe to consume’
A foreign tourist’s attempt to avoid ice in her drink on Koh Samui has stirred strong reactions online, after she posted a video showing herself removing ice cubes from a glass with her bare hand at a local restaurant. The video, posted on TikTok by user @2brunesenasie, shows a woman reaching into her drink, scooping out the ice and discarding…
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Thailand’s Disneyland bid gains embassy support in US
Thailand’s bid to host the first Disneyland in Southeast Asia has received a boost following support from the Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Today, February 3, Phiphat, who also oversees the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), said the embassy’s recent communication shows the Disneyland Thailand concept is no longer just a…
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AOT to raise passenger service charge for international flights from May
Airports of Thailand (AOT) confirmed plans to increase the passenger service charge (PSC) for international departures in May this year. While the increase will largely affect foreign travellers, AOT insisted that it will not reduce the number of international visitors to Thailand. The chief executive officer of AOT, Paweena Jariyathitipong, told local media that the PSC for passengers departing on international…
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Pattaya rolls out colour-coded beach umbrellas to boost seaside views
Pattaya introduced new rule assigning specific umbrella colours to beach chair operators, saying the move will improve orderliness and create a more attractive seaside view for visitors. The mayor of Pattaya City, Porramate Ngampichate, shared the update on his official Facebook page yesterday, January 29, stating that umbrella colours and designs above beach chairs across the city would be standardised…
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Thailand reforms business, visa, and social laws to attract global expats
Thailand is undertaking its most comprehensive expatriate policy overhaul in decades, introducing reforms across business law, visa regulations, property ownership, and civil rights that collectively aim to position the country as Southeast Asia’s premier destination for foreign residents and investors. Announced progressively throughout 2024 and early 2025, these reforms respond to regional competition for foreign talent and investment, particularly as…
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Thailand tourism at a tipping point as regional rivals surge, TTF 2026 warns
Thailand’s tourism industry is approaching a decisive moment. As travel patterns evolve and regional competitors accelerate investment, the kingdom faces mounting pressure to adapt or risk losing its long-held leadership position in Asia-Pacific tourism. For decades, Thailand has been one of the world’s most successful tourism destinations. Today, however, competition is intensifying. While Thailand’s international arrivals declined 7.2% in 2025,…
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Thai travellers targeted in rising visa scam wave, VFS warns
As outbound travel from Thailand continues to climb, travellers are constantly reminded to watch out for visa-related scams, with increasing reports of fraudulent appointment letters and illegal charges for priority processing. VFS Global, the official visa outsourcing partner for 26 governments in Thailand, issued the warning this week as more Thai travellers prepare for their travels abroad. According to Simon…
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Foreign man seen rolling on Phuket street near EDC event
A video clip showing a foreign man rolling around in the middle of a busy road in Phuket was shared online today, January 19, quickly going viral on social media. The incident itself took place two nights earlier, on January 17, near the site of the EDC Thailand 2026 event, during heavy traffic. The 12-second video, originally posted by the…
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Phuket Airport sees flight and passenger surge in 2025 recovery
Phuket International Airport recorded strong growth in both flight movements and passenger numbers in 2025, reflecting a continued recovery in the aviation and tourism sectors and renewed traveller confidence, according to airport director Monchai Tanod. Performance over the past year exceeded 2024 levels and approached figures seen in 2019, the airport’s peak year before the Covid-19 pandemic. The results underline…
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Phuket unveils ‘Dheveena’ sea goddess sculpture as new landmark
Phuket unveiled a new landmark, “Dheveena,” a large-scale public sculpture installed along the seafront at Saphan Hin Park in the Wichit sub-district, as part of the Thailand Biennale 2025. The fourth edition of the Thailand Biennale returned to Phuket on November 29 last year and will run for five months until April 30 this year. Under the theme “Eternal Kalpa,”…
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Filipina tourist apologises after viral rant about English in Thailand
The Filipina tourist, Ann Berdin, who sparked online backlash for complaining that English is useless in Thailand, has responded in a video posted today, January 13, clarifying that she meant no harm and was simply sharing her experience. In the now-deleted viral clip, the tourist had vented her frustration, saying no one in Thailand seemed to understand English, including…
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Amazing Thailand x LISA teaser drops ahead of full film release
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released the teaser for its latest tourism advertising film featuring Thai-born K-pop star Lalisa Manobal on Friday, January 9. The full film is scheduled to launch on January 28. TAT first announced Lisa as its global tourism ambassador in October, encouraging fans to look forward to a campaign showcasing Thailand’s most beautiful destinations through…
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Russian man arrested in Phuket for illegally working as tour guide
Thai police arrested a Russian man illegally working as a tour guide at a pier in Phuket yesterday, January 7, just moments before escorting tourists on an Andaman Sea excursion. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said officers from the Phuket Marine Police arrested 33 year old Lapa at a pier in Phuket province and charged him with working without a…
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South Korean embassy clarifies Thai civil servant’s denied entry
The South Korean embassy in Bangkok responded to online criticism yesterday, December 6, after a 37 year old Thai civil servant was denied entry at Incheon International Airport, urging the public not to spread misinformation that could harm diplomatic ties. The woman shared her experience in a Facebook group for independent travellers to Korea, saying she was refused entry without…
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Bangkok unveils model for first pedestrian bridge across Chao Phraya River
Bangkok revealed plans for a new landmark, the city’s first pedestrian bridge across the Chao Phraya River, aimed at improving connectivity between both sides of the river and creating a new check-in spot for tourists. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recently unveiled a model of the proposed bridge to the public. The design features a modern structure formed from an intricate lattice…
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