The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced the tourism figures for January-November 2018. Thailand received 34,431,489 international visitors, up by 7.53% over the same period of last year, generating an estimated 1.8 billion Baht in tourism revenue, up by 9.79%. The highlight of the results was the fact that seven countries (China, Malaysia, South Korea, Lao PDR., Japan, India, and Russia) have already generated more than one million visitor arrivals, and three more countries (USA, Vietnam and Singapore) were set to follow suit when the full year 2018 results were tabulated. Commenting on the performance, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, “We are overjoyed to have this result in the last quarter of 2018. The 35 million visitor target is now set to be met. It is a tribute to the cooperation and creativity of the entire Thai travel and tourism industry to ensure that it remains our primary sector for job creation, distribution of income nationwide, and contribution to cultural, heritage and environmental preservation. Summary of the key results in January-November 2018: Overview: All regions grew well except the Middle […]

General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, together with H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, visited the Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) exhibition booth at the Thailand Together event for the ASEAN Chairmanship 2019. The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General of ASEAN was greeted by Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, THAI President, senior executives from both THAI and THAI Smile airlines at the Santi Maitree Building, Government House. This event marked the launch of ASEAN Summit 2019 where Thailand will be the host country to be held under the theme „Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”. At the exhibition booth, THAI showcased its inflight carbon footprint menus in support of the company’s „Travel Green” concept to reduce effects of global warming. source: TAT News

TAT Newsroom Short Documentary The Seasons Episode 2: The End of the Cliff Theme: Season of Romance Duration 3 minutes Location: Hin-Sam-Wan, Bueng Kan EPISODE SYNOPSIS ‘Hin Sam Wan’, or the ‘Three-Whale Rock’, is located in the Phu Sing National Reserved Forest of Bueng Kan province. Perched imposingly on the edge of a high, steep cliff, this trifurcating rock, when seen from above, resembles three whales swimming in an expanse of lush vegetation. This place is recognised as one of Thailand’s very important geological sites. Around the site is a network of nine nature observing trails. The site also houses significant geological exhibits indicating that this area of Thailand used to be a desert some 75 million years ago. The ‘Three-Whale Rock’ is also the most spectacular scenic point in the Phu Sing National Reserved Forest. In early winter, particularly in November, as the sun is climbing into the sky, golden rays are cast on the vast forest below revealing a magnificent vista that extends towards Phu Wua’s forest, Bang Bat Stream, Kaeng Sadok, and as far as the mountains […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has curated three concepts for promoting the group of 55 secondary destinations to help develop and market their tourism economies and cultural assets in an environmentally-friendly way. These 55 provinces, which get less than four million local and foreign tourists a year, are to get increasing prominence in TAT’s future marketing campaigns. TAT’s research has identified the need to position these secondary 55 provinces within the “big picture” of Thailand’s development. The plan is to create conceptual models that are specific to each secondary province; such as, a sports city in Buri Ram and a wellness city in Chiang Rai. The research has shown that there are more than 4,000 tourist attractions and over 8,000 accommodation units in the secondary destinations as of 2018. This creates enormous opportunities to help each of them look unique and interesting. The promotion is in line with the government’s policy to promote and strengthen the tourism sector with inspiring attractions, strengthen the foundations of tourism, and make it a major source of progress in the secondary destinations nationwide. […]

Over 25,000 runners from all around the world are set to return for the second edition of the “Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2019 presented by Toyota”, which is scheduled for Sunday, 3 February, 2019. Launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thailand Tri-League in cooperation with strategic partners in the public and private sector, the inaugural “Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2018 presented by Toyota” was held successfully on 4 February, this year. Mrs. Suchitra Jongchansittho, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, said the latest edition of the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2019 is set to become the top event of its kind by year three. “Organising world-class marathons in any capital city is challenge. However, with proper resourcefulness, Thailand stands to grow in stature on the global marathon map. For TAT holding any world-class marathon in Bangkok is a must to showcase the country’s accommodation, transport and safety advantage,” she added. With over 25,000 runners, including 5,000 from around the world, TAT expects that the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2019 event will help generate an estimated […]

International visitors spent more money in Thailand than in any other Asian country in 2017, according to a UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) report. The report said that Thailand recorded a total tourism expenditure of USD57 billion in 2017, ahead of Japan (USD34 billion), Hong Kong (USD33 billion), China (USD33 billion) and Taiwan (USD12 billion). The figures are based on surveys tabulated from credit card spending data and the cash receipts in different countries around the world. The survey also indicated that Thailand has everything for everyone, ranging from luxury villas on private islands to affordable street food, which is why tourists can always find good valuable experiences in Thailand. UNWTO also predicted that tourism expenditure will increase in the next year, thanks to strong Thai tourism promotion campaigns and growing foreign investment in world-class hotels in Thailand. The full report can be accessed here. Moreover, Bangkok ranked number one on the list of the world’s most-visited cities, according to MasterCard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index 2018. It has been ranked #1 for three consecutive years. The MasterCard index showed […]

Krabi was awarded the “Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot” at the 2018 Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards ceremony held on 30-31 October, 2018, at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok. The two-day meeting organised under the theme of “Advancing Urban Innovations to Achieve SDG 11 and New Urban Agenda” was attended by more than 400 participants from 40 countries to conclude the observance of Urban October. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is a cornerstone of localising the 17 SDGs. As a highlight of the Forum, the 2018 Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards were presented to 36 winners in seven categories. There were four winners from Thailand in three award categories. Krabi was awarded in the “Global Low-Carbon Ecological Scenic Spot” category, while Hua Hin was named among this year’s “Global Green City (District, Town)” category winners. In addition, two Thai high school students – Miss Wang Ruoxi, student of Satit Patumwan School and Mr. Thanik Siriphongpak, […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to clarify that while the world famous Maya Beach is closed, stunning views of the Bay can still be enjoyed. The clarification is based on this week’s trip, from 19 to 20 October, by a TAT delegation led by TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn to obtain a first-hand view of the reality on the ground. The TAT delegation learned that Phi Phi Leh Island, where Maya Bay is located, is still open to tourists. Maya Beach itself is off limits, but visitors can still enjoy the stunning views of Maya Bay – without people – from a boat. They can also enjoy snorkelling in the front of the Bay. Diving and snorkelling trips around Mu Ko Phi Phi are also running as usual. Holidaymakers can also stay overnight on Phi Phi Don Island and enjoy many other beautiful beaches and bays of Krabi’s Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Phi Phi Don Island’s main pier is at Tonsai Bay, which is the busiest with a host of accommodation, restaurants and […]

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in conjunction with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and VietJet Air launch a new campaign ‘Mega Deal to Thailand…Travel Is a Big Deal” to encourage tourists from ASEAN countries, especially Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, with special price tickets from the three airlines to pull ASEAN tourists to Thailand in Q4 as well as to strengthen the relationship in ASEAN. Open for reservation from today until 31 December 2018. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand by 11% or around 2 million tourists compared to the previous year. The three most visited ASEAN countries to Thailand are Malaysia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam totaling over 5,628,156 tourists. It is a group of countries that can facilitate easy travels in a short time and having similarities in culture, food and languages. ‘Mega Deal to Thailand…Travel Is a Big Deal’ is a proactive campaign to stimulate tourism in Thailand. The three airlines have cooperated with TAT to encourage both tourists and businessmen to visit […]

After a record-breaking awards haul so far this year, Thailand has once again been recognised with yet another prestigious honour by Condé Nast Traveller’s readers, who voted Chiang Mai among the Top 20 Small Cities in the World in its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards. This is hot on the heels of the recent Conde Nast Traveller UK 2018 Readers’ Travel Awards with Thailand voted into 3rd spot in the Best Country category. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “Chiang Mai, with its charming culture of the ancient Lanna capital plus the lovely weather and the beautiful hills, has always been popular with local and international tourists. I’d like to thank the readers of Condé Nast Traveller for naming Chiang Mai one of the World’s Top 20 Small Cities 2018.” According to Condé Nast Traveller, “There’s a reason so many travellers beeline for Chiang Mai when they visit Thailand—the city is undoubtedly the cultural capital of the country. (It also doesn’t hurt that the super-luxe Four Seasons Resort and intimate Rachamankha are fantastic home […]