tourists
- Business News
Central Retail partners with Ant Group to launch Alipay+ for Asian tourists in Thailand
For the convenience of Asian tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea, Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has announced its partnership with Ant Group, introducing Alipay+ a comprehensive solution for international digital payments. This digital offering will enable travellers to use local digital wallets such as China’s Alipay, Hong Kong’s AlipayHK, Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet and South Korea’s…
- Thailand News
Beach regulations: Pattaya considers time limits due to litter and noise surge
Escalating noise levels and litter are being reported on the popular beaches of Pattaya City. As a result, the city council is contemplating the introduction of strict timings for public access to these beaches, in line with the proposed beach regulations. Reports include disturbances from visitors who choose to extend their beach parties into the early hours of the morning.…
- Tourism News
Vibrant pink Siam tulips in northeast Thailand draw tourists
Nature enthusiasts and flower fans have flocked in their thousands to Sai Thong National Park in Chaiyaphum province to witness the breathtaking sight of a vast field of blooming pink Siam tulips. The influx of tourists began over the weekend, with visitors eagerly capturing photos and selfies amidst the stunning display. Spanning four districts – Nong Bua Rahaew, Thep Sathit,…
- Economy News
Thai tourism targets wealthy Asian expatriates for industry boost
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set their sights on the growing wealth of Asian expatriates as a potential boon for the Thai tourism industry. Chinese nationals residing in Cambodia and Laos have been particularly targeted due to their propensity for choosing Thailand as a location to send their children for education. According to Oranooch Pakapan-Rutten, TAT’s marketing representative for Cambodia…
- Pattaya News
Foreign motorcyclist struck by hit-and-run baht bus driver in Pattaya
A bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning as a foreign motorcyclist was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a baht bus, which subsequently fled from the incident scene. The collision occurred at 3.30am, in the vicinity of Hard Rock Hotel. Emergency healthcare workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation were alerted and quickly reached the scene,…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya bar workers and Indian tourists fight
In the early hours of this morning, a violent altercation took place between a group of bar workers and two Indian tourists at the entrance of Soi 16 and Walking Street in Pattaya. The incident occurred in front of Kamaa Club, located at the entrance of Walking Street from Soi 16 in South Pattaya, Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district,…
- Economy News
Thailand’s tourism rebounds with 11.4 million visitors
Thailand has experienced a surge in foreign tourist arrivals, with 11.4 million visitors recorded from January to June 11, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. This figure has already surpassed the total number of tourists in 2022, which reached 11.15 million. The statement also revealed that tourist spending during this period amounted to 472…
- Business News
Thailand boosts tourism budget to 5 billion baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced its plans for the fiscal year 2024, with a focus on growing off-peak customers, increasing spending per trip by 7%, and distributing income to a wider range of destinations. The budget for these initiatives is set at 5 billion baht, a significant increase from the 3.25 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2023. TAT Governor…
- Thailand News
Beach vendor apologises for misunderstanding over lounge chair slogan confusion
A recent misunderstanding between a beach chair vendor and a tourist in Cha-am Beach, Phetchaburi, resulted in the vendor being suspended from work for 15 days. The tourist had rented a chair for 400 baht and asked about the duration allowed. The vendor responded with the phrase “Sit for as long as you like, even for days,” which led to…
- Thailand News
Visa crackdown in Phuket: Over 1,000 foreigners nabbed for overstaying
A crime-free initiative in Phuket has seen significant success, with over 1,000 foreigners caught for overstaying their visas. This achievement is credited to the collaboration between the Phuket Immigration Office and 800 accommodation providers on the island, who have adopted crime-free measures that enable them to report any suspicious activities involving their foreign guests. Phuket’s immigration chief, Thanet Sukchai, revealed…
- Business News
Singapore Airlines scraps paper food boxes after customer backlash
Singapore Airlines (SIA) CEO Goh Choon Phong acknowledged that the airline could have done better with its introduction of paper food boxes and the removal of appetisers. The paper boxes were launched in March for a trial run on some medium- and long-haul flights but received strong criticism from customers regarding food standards and presentation. As a result, SIA has…
- Tourism News
Surat Thani sees 155% increase in international visitors, boosting revenue
Surat Thani sees a significant increase in international tourists, with over 1.5 million visitors arriving in the province so far this year, a 155% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the provincial governor. Governor Witchawut Jinto announced that since January, the province has welcomed a total of 2.05 million visitors, with 1.5 million being international tourists.…
- Business News
Thailand sees 1 million Chinese tourists from January to May 18
Between January and May 18, Thailand welcomed 1 million Chinese tourists, following China’s border reopening, a government official reported. The Thai government is optimistic about achieving its target of five million Chinese visitors this year, with an expected spending of 446 billion baht. Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri announced in a statement that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand has…
- Tourism News
Cruise liner with 1,800 tourists makes its way to Koh Samui
A cruise liner embarked from Chon Buri with 1,800 tourists on board and made its way to Cambodia and Vietnam, before finally arriving on the picturesque shores of Koh Samui. Witchawut Jintoe, the governor of Surat Thani, informed The Phuket Express that this week the COSTA SERENA cruise liner docked at the Na Thon Pier, bringing Thai and Asian tourists…
- Tourism News
Thailand sees 9.47 million tourists, Chinese visitors to boost growth
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand has reached 9.47 million this year, contributing approximately 391 billion baht (US$11 billion) to the nation’s revenue, as reported by government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul. Traisuree stated today that the anticipated rise in Chinese tourists will likely boost the growth of Thailand’s tourism sector even further. She also highlighted that the majority of…
- Phuket News
Phuket welcomes cruise liner from Malaysia with 2,000 tourists
Phuket welcomed the arrival of a cruise liner from Malaysia, carrying more than 2,000 tourists, as it docked at the pier in the Wichit sub-district of Phuket‘s main city district on Monday. The cruise liner, the Mein Schiff 5, is operated by TUI Cruises. The Chief of Phuket Marine Office, Natchapong Pranit, welcome the tourists who arrived on the cruise…
- South Thailand News
Stranded in paradise: Viral video shows 85 tourists trapped in water near Thai Cave
A video clip of 85 tourists waiting in the water near a cave in South Thailand after an issue with their boat has gone viral on social media. The video shows the tourists, who are all wearing life jackets, holding on to each other as they wait for their boat to return. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 6,…
- Phuket News
Phuket marine office warns boat operators ahead of four-day weekend
Ahead of the four-day weekend, Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchaphong Pranit today released a series of safety notices urging boat operators to adhere to safety regulations. These notices come in the wake of an expected influx of tourists visiting Phuket from May 4-7. Phuket is anticipated to draw significant numbers of visitors due to the Coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn,…
- Tourism News
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…
- Tourism News
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,…
- Thailand News
British tourists to Thailand: Are you really covered? Travel insurance warning for medical emergencies
British tourists travelling to Thailand are being warned that their travel insurance policies may not cover them in the event of a medical emergency. Most travel insurance is not designed to cover life-saving operations or expensive repatriation, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday. The Association of British Insurers pointed out that 17% of all overseas claims are rejected due to lack of documentation, and…
- Tourism News
Thailand’s Surat Thani province expects over 90,000 tourists during Songkran
Get ready for a blast of Songkran tourism coming up in Thailand! Thailand’s Surat Thani province is expecting to welcome more than 90,000 tourists during the upcoming Songkran festival period. According to the Surat Thani Governor, Vichawut Jintoe, over 67,000 foreign tourists and 23,000 Thai tourists are expected to visit the southern province from April 13 to 16. Surat Thani…
- Tourism News
Tourists in Thailand urged to download ‘Tourist Police i lert u’ app
Foreign tourists in Thailand are advised to download the app “Tourist Police i lert u” which they can use to quickly and conveniently contact the police in case of an emergency, according to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. Not to be confused with the Thai version of the app, “police i lert u,” the tourist version of the app is available…
- Crime News
Police arrest Mongolian thieves preying on tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Police arrested Mongolian thieves repeatedly preying on and stealing from tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Yesterday at 3pm, the Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachorn, held a joint press conference with Suvarnabhumi Airport Police to announce the arrests of three members of a Mongolian gang operating at Thailand’s largest airport. Under arrest warrants from Samut Prakan Provincial Court,…
- Phuket News
Patong minivan crash injures four tourists and a driver
A Patong minivan crash injured four tourists and a driver. The crash happened when one minivan transporting foreign tourists crashed into another one on the road connecting Patong Beach and Kamala in Phuket. The accident occurred on Phra Baramee Road yesterday, at 11.35am. According to MGR Online, the accident occurred when one minivan drove out of its lane and collided with…
- Phuket News
After a walk on the beach, Russian tourists get lost in Phuket jungle
A walk on the beach turned into a disaster for two Russian tourists who ended up getting lost in a Phuket jungle on Tuesday night. The head of Sirinat National Park, Sorasak Rananan, said the park received a notification from the Phuket Tourist Police at 10pm that two tourists were lost near the Sai Koo Mountain in the area of…
- Tourism News
Chinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes
Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai are walking around in traditional Thai clothes during their sightseeing tours. After three years of travel restrictions due to Covid-19, Chinese tourists have returned to Thailand with a thirst for authentic experiences. This has created a trend in which Chinese tourists stand out in their finery at historical temples and other attractions in the northern…
- Tourism News
Pattaya island Koh Larn draws in 130,000 tourists this month
Pattaya‘s picturesque island of Koh Larn is proving to be a hit with tourists this month, with over 130,000 tourists flocking to the island. Officials expect this number to rise as Chinese tourists start to return to the area. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manote Nongyai said on Wednesday, March 15, that Koh Larn saw an average of 10,000 visitors per day…
- Asia News
Bali to ban foreigners from renting motorbikes
Governor of the Indonesian island of Bali, I Wayan Koster, said that foreigners will soon be banned from renting motorbikes and scooters on the island. He said he will request all motorbike rental shops to ban foreigners from using their services. The governor has had enough of foreign tourists violating traffic rules… “As tourists, act as tourists, using the vehicles prepared…
- Phuket News
Two foreign kayakers rescued from Phuket sea
The search for two missing foreign tourists who disappeared after renting kayaks from a hotel on Coconut Island in Phuket, southern Thailand, on Friday has been called off. It turns out they were rescued by the captain of a yacht later that day. At 6pm yesterday, officers at Mueang Phuket Police Station, Tourist Police, Phuket Marine Police, and Koh Kaeo…
- Tourism News
Thai officials look to food trucks to draw tourists
Thai officials are looking to food trucks to draw tourists. The Department of Business Development (DBD) in Thailand is exploring the potential of food trucks as a new tourist attraction in the country. According to Thosapone Dansuputra, the director-general of DBD, food trucks could serve as “destinations” that will not only stimulate the economy but also raise awareness of Thai…
- Tourism News
Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists last month
Thailand welcomed 2.14 million international tourists in January, data from the tourism ministry showed today. The data showed a small decline from the previous month. The top three source markets last month were Malaysia with 288,745 tourists, Russia with 202,759 tourists, and South Korea 169,462 tourists. However, the return of travellers from China, following the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, helped…
- Road deaths
Thailand’s perilous roads claim the lives of 75 foreigners so far this year
Thailand’s deadly roads have claimed the lives of 75 foreigners so far this year. A further 2,886 foreigners were injured, according to data from Thai RSC, an accident information centre. Foreigners getting into road accidents in Thailand regularly make headlines but much more go unrecorded by the media. Data recorded from January 1 – February 15, 2023, reveals that 2,099…
- Phuket News
Phuket officials warn tourists to beware of jellyfish
Phuket officials are warning tourists to beware of potentially dangerous jellyfish while enjoying the island’s beaches. The warning issued today comes after more than 30 visitors reported being stung by jellyfish at Kata Beach last week, with most experiencing mild symptoms. In response to this, signs have been placed at over 20 popular tourist destinations around Phuket, including Patong, Nai…
- Phuket News
Phuket rescuers bring French tourists lost in forest to safety
Phuket rescuers brought two French tourists lost in a forest to safety between last night and this morning. The tourists, a man identified only as Victor, and his girlfriend, had arrived in Phuket earlier yesterday and decided to go for a walk on a local beach. The couple followed a trail up the Nai Thon mountain but found themselves lost and…
- Thailand News
Elephant in Thailand dies after tourists feed it wrong food
An elephant camp in Koh Chang, eastern Thailand, is warning tourists not to feed elephants food containing chemicals after an elephant died after eating chemically-contaminated bananas. A few weeks ago, a 20 year old male elephant at Kaebai Meechai Elephant Camp in Koh Chang, Trat province, fell ill with flatulence and indigestion after eating food brought in by some tourists,…
- Thailand News
The 4 Traveller Tribes of the next decade
Travel-tech outfit Amadeus has identified what it calls the four “Traveller Tribes” of the next decade – experientialists, influencers, memory makers and pioneers. According to the Nation, Singapore’s Amadeus examined emerging traits, behaviours, and preferences, to pinpoint what travellers will want a decade from now. Pioneers, more than 40% of all travellers globally and the largest tribe, live fast-paced lives…
