Thailand Tourism News

Thailand positions itself as medical tourism leader
Thailand is looking to position itself as a global leader in medical tourism with the launch of a new portal offering visitors all they need to know on everything from traditional Thai medical practitioners to cosmetic surgery.

Phuket leads Thai tourism revival
Thailand’s tourism jewel of Phuket is leading the country’s dramatic tourism revival. In November the paradise island will be marking its arrival on the global sport tourism arena with opening of the groundbreaking Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club. BTN finds out more.

Tensions rise in Bangkok after fatal bomb blast
Tensions have resurfaced in Bangkok following a grenade explosion that left one man dead and several injured. The killing comes after another fatal blast in the Thai capital five days ago, breaking a period of relative calm since the violent anti-government protests in April and May.
Thai state of emergency extended
The government of Thailand has extended a state of emergency in 19 of the country’s 76 provinces. The move – which grants powers to disperse public gatherings – follows the deaths of nearly 100 anti-government protestors in April this year.

First Hotel Indigo signed in Southeast Asia
188-room boutique hotel to open in Bangkok by end of 2012.

Provincial tourism industry urges govt to expedite help
The tourism industry in Phuket has urged the government to expedite assistance measures to help recover the tourism industries in provinces outside of the capital.
Free test-run rides for Thai Airport rail link attracts public
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Tuesday conducted a test run of the Thai capital’s Airport Rail Link, attracting passengers to try free rides.
26 Nations scale down their travel advisories to Thailand
Twenty-six countries have scaled down their travel advisories to Thailand following the government’s recent decision to revoke the curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces.

Thai travel returning to normal
Governments around the world have begun to rescind warnings against travel to Thailand as the political situation in the country calms. The United States, Canada and United Kingdom have all withdrawn warnings, while Thai authorities have simultaneously launched a promotional drive to woo visitors.

Thailand needs your support. not price cutting
The Thailand PATA Chapter regrets to observe that Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH), a division of THAI Airways International, has come up with a self-defeating tourism recovery strategy for Thailand – price reductions of 50%.

Statement by Thai Prime Minister HE Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva regarding political developments
Prime Minister HE Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of Thailand, issued the following statement regarding the political developments in his country:

Thailand plots tourism comeback
Thailand is plotting its return from the tourism cold now that control and order has been restored in Bangkok. The government estimates US$1.5 billion has been lost in tourism revenue following two months of political upheaval, whilst many fear that Thailand’s image as the “Land of Smiles” has been shattered by the violence that left 88 dead and 1,900 injured.