China tourist arrivals to Thailand have already passed the one million milestone. Although China was late to resume outbound tourism and was done in a gradual way in early 2023, Thailand still remains a top destination. It accounts for about 10% of all inbound tourism. As of mid-May, Thailand has welcomed about 9.5 million foreign tourists so far this year. The Thai government expects to meet its earlier target of three million China tourist arrivals this year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has just launched a China focused marketing campaign. Called ‘Trusted Thailand, (Taiguo Yue Wan Yue Kaixin’) it is designed to showcase Thailand as a safe and welcoming destination for Chinese visitors. TAT is more optimistic and expects as many as five million China tourist visits by the end of the year.

   

Happy Songkran Thai New Year

 

Happy Songkran Thai New Year! Traditional Thai new year is a time in which family is honored and seniors are deeply respected. Celebrations span across Thailand and beyond between April 13-15. You can also get a taste of this enchanting festival in the U.S., from Minnesota's Songkran Festival (May 27 & 28), Houston Asian Culture Festival (May 20 & 21), to Thai Festival Chicago (June 10 & 11).

 

Celebrate Songkran in the U.S. →

    Thailand's Festivals & Events in April 2023   April brings lots of exciting events and festivals to Thailand. In addition to its 3-day celebratory events for Songkran Thai New Year, experience many other cultural and religious festivals throughout the month including: 3rd Muang Boran Light Fest 2023, Van Gogh Alive, Isan Creative Festival 2023, Phuket Bike Week 2023, and more.   Discover April in Thailand →       'Rolling Loud' Hip-Hop Music Festival in Pattaya   The world's top hip-hop music festival will stage its premier concert in Asia at Pattaya's Legend Siam, April 13-15. Headliners for the 3-day festival include Travis Scott, Cardi B, and Chris Brown, along with performances by rap stars Rick Ross, Waka Flocka Flame, and Soulja Boy.   View the Lineup & Buy Tickets →       241st Anniversary of Bangkok's Krung Rattanakosin   The ministry of culture has announced a series of celebratory events to commemorate the 241st Anniversary of Bangkok's Krung Rattanakosin - founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the first monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. The opening ceremony will take place at the National Museum Bangkok and the National Theatre on April 21. Celebrations will continue through April 25, featuring cultural performances, a night museum, a retro-style food market, and a fair selling cultural products from Thailand's 76 provinces and from Bangkok's 50 districts.   Learn More About the Anniversary →       Visiting Thailand with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide   The summer travel season is right around the corner. Whether you're looking to relax, learn more about Thai culture, climb a mountain, explore a cave, fly through the sky on a zipline, or meet some new elephant friends, Thailand truly has something to enthrall everyone in the family. From intricate Buddhist temples that offer a lesson in architecture and history to breathtaking national parks and beaches, Thailand's unique alchemy is one-of-a-kind.   Thailand's Family-Friendly Guide →     Traveling Solo in Thailand   From choosing your own itinerary (and changing it on a whim) to not having to worry about the responsibilities of pleasing a group, solo traveling has lots of perks. TAT compiled a guide to traveling alone in Thailand - including safety tips, destinations to explore, and excursions fit for singles.   Check Out the Travel Guide →

Thailand tourism officials expects over six million travelers from Europe this year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn updated delegates at ITB Berlin. It accounts for around 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Yuthasak admits there are still obstacles to reaching a full recovery. These include the Ukraine conflict, the cost of living crisis and a shortage of workers across Thailand. There is also currently a shortage of flight capacity to boost tourist numbers further. Thailand also plans to increase the length of stay for tourist visas from 30 to 45 days.            

Thailand welcomed over two million foreign visitors in January, as Thailand tourism continued its rebound. It was helped by the return of travellers from China. Thailand tourism ministry data recorded 2.14 million foreign arrivals. It was down on December when it received 2.24 million visitors. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expects as many as 30 million foreign arrivals this year. That is still down on Thailand’s pre-pandemic levels of nearly 40 million. China is traditionally the top source market. The top source markets in January were Malaysia and Russia.

   

Amazing Thailand Events and Festivals in February 2023

  From the ‘Red Lotus Sea’ and Chiang Mai Flower Festival, to the Amazing Muay Thai Festival, Bangkok Design Week, and Concert in the Park #30, there’s plenty going on this month. February is a wonderful time of the year to visit Thailand, with the cooler climate making traveling around even more enjoyable. Flowers and foliage are in bloom in the north of Thailand, popular places such as Phuket and Krabi are as amazing as ever, and there are fantastic festivals and events to experience. Discover February in Thailand →    

TAT Announces “Amazing Thailand Experience Forum”

  The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New York and Toronto Offices – in partnership with Air Canada, THAI Smile Airways, and various partners in Thailand – facilitated the ‘Amazing Thailand Experience Forum’ in Bangkok and Khao Lak (Phang-nga) from February 5-15, 2023. The program served as an opportunity for 60 agents to experience luxury travel offerings and build relationships with over 100 luxury Thai suppliers. Read about the ‘Amazing Thailand Experience Forum’ here and find out more about how to become a certified Thailand specialist through the Thai The Knot Specialist program here. Learn More →    

China Airlines Adds Capacity to Thailand

  China Airlines announces the launch of direct flight service from Taipei to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand’s largest city. The addition of four weekly flights on the Chiang Mai route means China Airlines now offers 27 roundtrip flights to Thailand each week, greatly boosting convenience for business and tourist travel between the two regions. Read the latest news here and explore flights here. Take Me to Thailand →    

T+L World’s Best Awards Survey Closing for Votes on February 28th

  The 2023 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey is live now through February 28, 2023 including a number of Thailand tourism partners in the Hotel Brands, Airlines, Destination Spas, Islands, and Cities categories. Cast your votes before the deadline closes by visiting the survey here. Vote for Thailand →    

TAT Introduced “The Michelin Experience @Isan”

  TAT introduced “The MICHELIN Experience @Isan” to promote Thai-Isan food culture, congratulating 33 entries from four representative cities of the Northeast Isan region for being included in The MICHELIN Guide Thailand’s 2023 Bib Gourmand list. “The MICHELIN Experience @Isan” shined a spotlight on Thai-Isan food culture and celebrated the inclusion of the region in the sixth edition of The MICHELIN Guide Thailand. The partnership between TAT and The MICHELIN Guide began in 2017 with the launch of The MICHELIN Guide Bangkok 2018. The success throughout the first five years resulted in the project being extended for another five years from 2022 to 2026 – guaranteeing continued promotion of gastronomy tourism to Thailand. Experience Thai Isan →    

TAT Strengthens “Visit Thailand Year 2023” Towards a Meaningful Travel Direction

  TAT is strengthening the ongoing “Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters” campaign towards a meaningful travel direction. Underlining the kingdom’s soft power foundations and experience-based tourism, key strategies include elevating supply and sustainable standards, and raising awareness among stakeholders about the importance of being hospitable hosts to all visitors. Explore Meaningful Travel Thailand →    

Banyan Tree Extends Branch Of Hope To Koh Samui Students

  Philanthropy lies close to the roots at luxury hotel group, Banyan Tree. Through the Banyan Tree Global Foundation, the group has sponsored hundreds of causes and projects worldwide. Most recently, Banyan Tree Samui secured funding and helped to reconstruct Wat Santi Wanaram Child Development Centre following devastation from a tropical storm. Read the story here. Read More →    

A Guide To Thai Spices

  Hot spices have been used in recipes and cooking for over 6,000 years and on the heels of International Hot and Spicy Foods Day (January 16), we’re bringing you some fun facts from sizzling Thailand. Thailand has a rich culinary heritage and there are said to be five tastes in Thai cooking: spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and creamy – all combinations and intensity of these flavors can make their way into one dish. Read more here. Let's Get Spicy →    

A Bridge Not Too Far: Where Creativity Meets Innovation

  Deepak Ohri is an author of the book: A Bridge Not Too Far, Where Creativity Meets Innovation. The book was released on January 10th, 2023, and it is already recognized as one of the top manuscripts in the global marketing. Explores how Deepak Ohri’s humble beginnings have fueled his innovative entrepreneurial spirit and have informed his deeply human-centered approach to business and to life. Find Out More →

Thailand plans to introduce the THB300 tourist fee this summer. It is expected to be implemented from June 2023, following a meeting of government officials. The tourist fee proposal was first mooted last year but was suspended to avoid hindering the tourism recovery. It is still subject to cabinet approval. Funds from the fee will be used in part to support foreign visitors’ medical expenses after accidents; It will also be used for further tourism development. Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expects about 25 million tourist arrivals this year.

Thailand Covid restrictions are back. Tourist arrivals are required to have at least two Covid vaccine shots. It comes as China borders reopen, China was Thailand’s biggest source market pre-pandemic. Thai officials said travellers from China don’t require Covid tests to enter the country. All international visitors will be treated equally, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnviraku. The return of Thailand Covid restrictions should not severely impact the tourism recovery. Officials expect around five million Chinese visitors in 2023.

Thailand plans to offer sun, sea, sand and a free Covid booster shot. The Tourism Ministry proposed free boosters to tourists to attract more international traffic. “I will discuss the possibility of providing Covid booster shots to tourists,” said Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Meanwhile the ministry is preparing for the return of Chinese travellers. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn expects 300,000 Chinese tourists in the first quarter of 2023.

Thailand tourism expects to finish the year around 15% up on its arrivals target. It recently surpassed the 10 million target. Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said it will be around 11.5 million travellers by the year-end. Supasorn predicts a surge of inbound arrivals for the New Year. Thailand tourism revenue should reach about THB1.5 trillion in 2022, The TAT set a target of 20 million for 2023.

Emirates starts the New Year with a fourth daily Bangkok flight The new flight begins on 1 January 2023. It aims to meet increased demand for travel to Bangkok. Emirates recently signed an agreement with the Tourism Authority of Thailand The new Bangkok flight will be on the flagship Airbus A380. Emirates operates 28 weekly flights to Bangkok. Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com. The Emirates A380 experience comprises the Onboard Lounge and First Class suites and Shower Spa.

Trip Affiliates Network has boosted its inventory of Thailand tours, activities and packages. TA Network has exclusively partnered with Royal Orchid Holidays. Royal Orchid is part of Thai Airways and also provides hotels and ground transfers to clients and through Thai Airways overseas offices. Royal Orchid Holidays will work in conjunction with the airline to boost its brand further overseas. TA Network offers distribution and turnkey solutions for Asia Pacific's travel wholesalers, operators, and DMCs into a single open ecosystem. It gives Royal Orchid Holidays’ Thailand tours and other products a much wider market. “We are pleased to help Royal Orchid Holidays rapidly customise and launch their online platform with I Asia's attractive products and services,” said TA Network's Managing Partner Josef Foo.

Thailand is expecting 10 million arrivals in 2022. With tourism receipts representing 20% of Thailand's GDP, they are now taking action to diversify and not have to rely on tourism as much.