Thailand

Visa announced the expansion of Visa Destinations, a travel platform available in 10 locations worldwide, including Bangkok. The platform features curated offerings across dining, entertainment, culture, hospitality, wellness, shopping, and transport. Additional benefits and travel experiences are also available for premium cardholders

TAT’s Carbon Footprint Hotels (CF-Hotels) platform has won the Green Leadership category at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2026. The ceremony was held on 26 Jun in Malaysia. CF-Hotels has expanded from 21 pilot hotels to over 900 registered hotel accounts nationwide since it became publicly active in 2024. Participating properties have recorded greenhouse gas reductions of 16,838.79 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, comparable to planting over 1,202,770 mature trees. The project has mobilised over 29.3 million THB through the ThaiCI Fund to support low-carbon transition

Chiang Mai Voyage of Light 2026 (CMVOL 2026) will take place on 24-25 Nov in Doi Saket, featuring curated immersive cultural activities, including a large-scale lantern release, traditional Lanna performances, Tai Lue cultural showcases, artisan workshops, local gastronomy experiences, and environmentally conscious visitor activities. The CMVOL Gol Experience will also be held on 23-26 Nov, integrating access to three championship golf courses with VIP festival participation

Grab has partnered with TAT to launch the “Grab Amazing Thai Rares”, aiming to stimulate the economy through tourism, particularly across Thailand’s 55 secondary cities. The campaign is capitalising on the rising Fandom Tourism by featuring celebrity duo “Ling-Orm” to target Thai and Chinese travellers. Grab launched trilingual guidebooks in Thai, English, and Chinese, highlighting 11 must-visit destinations aligned with TAT’s “Feel All the Feelings” campaign

European tour operator TUI said it’s “still difficult” to bring people to Thailand except with their own flights as travellers are still hesitating to go through Middle East hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi

Vice President of the Southern Chapter of the Thai Hotels Association said summer holidays usually attract many European tourists, but demand this year has been weaker than expected due to the European heatwaves, with many travellers looking to escape the heat by visiting cooler regional destinations instead of long-haul trips. He noted that this is the slowest low season in Phuket in 6-7 years, with average occupancy rates dropping 30%-40% in Jun. Average room rates have also fallen by 70%-80%

90 members of Hong Kong’s DOP Training Club visited Bangkok in Mar for a Hyrox race, with some staying for a few extra days for travel. Over 17,500 registered athletes participated in the 3-day event in Mar, one of the largest in the region

The newly appointed Phuket Governor conducted an aerial inspection of Phuket’s beaches, forested and mountainous areas, public land, landfill sites, buildings, and transport network to gather information for future planning and management

The Tourism Ministry is establishing a tourism policy task force to expedite tourism-led economic stimulus measures in H2 2026. The task force will collaborate with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), which has already compiled recommendations from the private sector. The task force will prepare data and policy proposals to submit to JSCCIB’s SME subcommittee, aiming to increase private sector participation in shaping tourism policy. The ministry also plans to invite major tourism organisations to join the task force, including the Domestic Tourism Business Association, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), the Tourism Council of Thailand, tour guide associations, hotel associations, and passenger transport operators. The Tourism Minister said the next domestic tourism stimulus package is expected to extend beyond subsidies for accommodation and meal, and may also include travel-related expenses and support for bus operators. The ministry will also consider the number of benefit entitlements, subsidy levels, incentives for travel to both major and secondary cities, and measures to encourage weekday and weekend travel. The ministry plans to use existing digital platforms for the domestic tourism stimulus programme, instead of developing a new app

Singapore-based Travelgoogoo announced a collaboration with Visa Destinations to offer Visa cardholders benefits when travelling to Thailand, including up to seven days of unlimited high-speed data in Thailand and a complimentary subscription to the Travelgoogoo365 Annual Plan

Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of Philippine-based DoubleDragon Corporation, signed definitive binding agreements for the joint venture development of a Hotel101 in Bangkok. The hotel is expected to feature around 770 rooms, located along Phahon Yothin Road, near Don Mueang International Airport. Hotel101-Bangkok is expected to generate around 1.925 billion THB in sales revenue once fully sold

Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said the SRT, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and Asia Era One Co – the consortium that won the concession for the 224.5-billion-THB high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao – met last week, during which the private partner said it would not continue with the public-partner partnership (PPP) project unless the contract is revised. Two options will be submitted to the EEC Policy Committee within the next two months. The first is to proceed with contract amendments that the EEC board has previously approved in principle before forwarding the revised agreement, which has already been cleared by the Office of the Attorney General, to the cabinet for final approval. If the EEC board rejects the amendments, the concession agreement would be terminated, and the SRT and the private partner would have to negotiate the terms of termination

Authorities have posted a demolition notice for Im Poo Hill Resort in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that it had encroached inside Thap Lan National Park. The resort has been given 15 days to remove the structures, and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will carry out the demolition under the law if the notice is ignored. The order came following the Natural Resources and Environment Minister’s visit to the national park. The minister said the government would expedite verification of land rights for the original villagers on a plot-by-plot basis, while taking strict legal action against commercial operators encroaching on protected land

The Interior Ministry has strengthened investigations into alleged nominee businesses in Phuket, with about 200 more companies expected to be examined in the next phase. The Deputy Interior Minister said 159 companies suspected to be using nominees have been referred to an investigation committee, with legal proceedings initiated against 39, while 34 were instructed to cease operations. He added that around 10,000 registered companies on Phuket are being reviewed, with over 400 potentially subject to scrutiny for suspected nominee arrangements

New Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum has officially begun his duties on 29 Jun

The Bank of Thailand said the country’s economic growth remained broadly stable in May on an MoM basis, driven by tourism recovery and slightly improved domestic demand. Overall tourism receipts increased with the rise of inbound arrivals, supported by the recovery in long-haul markets and increased arrivals from China and Malaysia during their long holiday period. Arrivals from other short-haul markets dropped due to lower demand and fewer flights amid rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict

TAT is monitoring tourism ties recovery between China and Japan, as it could potentially affect the inbound Chinese market to Thailand in H2 2026

TAT organised the Amazing Thailand Roadshow to South Africa 2026 from 22-26 Jun in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, featuring 20 Thai tourism sellers. The events aimed to generate at least 1,800 business appointments

Deputy Interior Minister said as part of the “clean-up” on nominee businesses in Phuket, the process for issuing hotel operating licenses to legitimate businesses has been expedited, with 45 licenses granted in 10 days, compared to about only 40 per year previously

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) is investing 29 billion THB to develop WellEra, a 200,000m2 “wellness ecosystem” in Bangkok which will combine a BDMS Wellness Clinic focused on preventive diagnostics, an urban wellness retreat with 168 guestrooms across 20 floors, a lifestyle retail zone, and Capella Residences Bangkok at WellEra. The development is scheduled to open in 2030

The Deputy PM said the draft legislation to separate the tourism and sports administration has been completed and a consultation process is ongoing. Under the proposed structure, tourism-related agencies would include the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), and the Tourist Police Bureau. Sports-related agencies would include the Department of Physical Education, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Thailand National Sports University

Golden Destinations, through GD World Cruises, will charter StarCruises’ Star Voyager ship for sailing from Port Klang to Phuket and Krabi, Thailand from 5 to 22 Dec 2026. It will offer 3N and 2N itineraries

A bomb hidden in a road culvert in Tak Bai district of the southern border province of Narathiwat exploded, injuring two Malaysian tourists

Small and medium hotel operators in Phuket has submitted a formal petition to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Decentralisation, Local Administration, and Special Administrative Arrangements, calling for urgent action to resolve “inconsistent enforcement of hotel licensing laws”. The Phuket Boutique Accommodation Association President said the expiry of the Ministerial Regulation No. 4 under the Hotel Act in 2023 – which relaxed physical requirements for hotel licences – had created a legal vacuum that has left over 5,600 hotels across Phuket unable to obtain or renew hotel licences

Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) reported that 60% of visitors to the Banthat Thong street food district in Bangkok are still Thais, while foreign markets are diverse, with Chinese, Asian, and European tourists accounting for a roughly equal share. PMCU has been attracting more lifestyle operators to open in the area, aiming to elevate the experience on Banthat Thong beyond food, making it a wider lifestyle space

Vice President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) said domestic tourism in Hua Hin is worse than 2025, especially among weekend visitors. He said Thai tourists remain cautious in travel spending, especially as spending power is weakened by the energy crisis and the Middle East conflict, with frugality expected to continue for 2-3 years. THA calls on the government to expedite the launch of a new phase of the domestic co-payment scheme valued at 3 billion THB, which is planned for Q4. Advisor for the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) said expects domestic travel to remain unchanged in 2026, amid lack of confidence about when the economy will recover. He said those with sufficient budgets are choosing international travel, which can sometimes have a comparable price to domestic trips. The Tourism Ministry reported that Thailand has seen 120 million domestic trips in Jan-May, +1.9% YoY, generating 488 billion THB

Thailand is pushing its “Thailand 365 Days” policy to position the country as a year-round, high-value tourism destination, capitalising on rising interest in natural attractions and local experiences to distribute income beyond key tourist cities and support sustainable growth. The government plans to build on Thailand’s popularity by connecting tourism with geographical indication products, community goods, food, culture, traditions, and local identity. The initiative aims to increase economic value, generate income for local people, and promote high-value tourism. The Tourism Minister said to the PM that the ministry is ready to develop natural attractions and new tourism destinations while increasing standards according to Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, under the Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030

The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the government is moving ahead with the restructuring of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Tourism affairs and sports administration will be separated, and tourism functions will be integrated with the Culture Ministry. The draft legislation has been completed and sent to the Cabinet secretariat for circulation among agencies. The consultation process is expected to take no longer than one month, followed by the bill’s submission to the Cabinet, likely in Jul or Aug. If the process went as schedule, the law could come into effect later in 2026

Agoda has launched new AI-powered travel planning features, including real-time flight updates, improved hotel browsing experience, and multi-product booking

Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry targets at least 33.2 million international arrivals by year-end. She added that the government is shifting away from chasing arrival numbers, but would focus instead on high-spending tourists, yield generation, and ensuring economic benefits filter down to local communities and small businesses nationwide. The ministry plans on collaborating with multi-sector stakeholders to organise international festivals and events, focusing on wellness and sports tourism, community-based travel and cultural experiences, looking at Koh Samui’s premium model to enhance emerging destinations nationwide

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) submitted a strategic proposal to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for the transition of the ministry into a new one with a changing focus from sports to culture. ATTA noted that the new Ministry of Tourism and Culture must not merely exist as an administrative restructuring, but should be designed around the key pillar of “tourism-led economic transformation”

TAT is advancing Thailand’s readiness for cross-border QR Payment under the “Pay Like a Local” concept, aiming to connect merchant adoption with traveller awareness. The effort is supported by the Bank of Thailand in partnership with eight participating banks: Krungthai Bank, Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, ICBC Thai, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, and CIMB Thai Bank; along with payment and switching partners National ITMX, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay. A Merchant Activation Roadshow was held at Asiatique The Riverfront Destination in Bangkok on 26 Jun, engaging shops, restaurants, and tourism operators to prepare for QR payment adoption

The Transport Ministry, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Department of Rail Transport, and the Rail Technology Research and Development Institute met with Minor International to discuss plans for a luxury tourist train project. The Transport Ministry plans to coordinate with the Tourism Ministry and the TAT to develop rail tourism routes connecting both primary and secondary destinations

The Bank of Thailand has upgraded its 2026 GDP growth forecast from 1.5% to 2.3%, attributed to strong exports, government stimulus, and easing tensions in the Middle East. GDP growth forecast for 2027 was downgraded from 2% to 1.8% due to the base effect

Thailand will host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) from 12-18 Oct at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok

The Environment Department and the Thai Meteorological Department reported that Bangkok’s heat index has reached a “danger” level, peaking at 51.9°C

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Kazakhstan met the Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister of Thailand to discuss expanded tourism cooperation. Thailand welcomed over 200,000 Kazakh tourists annually, boosted by the 3-day visa-free policy

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s proposal to nominate Ubon Ratchathani Geopark for recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark has been approved by the Cabinet. Thailand must formally declare its intent to UNESCO by 1 Jul and submit application documents between Oct-Nov, after which UNESCO experts will conduct evaluations before granting the recognition

Jason Mraz will perform at BITEC Live in Bangkok on 29 Oct as part of his 2026 Asia Tour

The Thai Cabinet has approved a single integrated fare across all mass transit lines in Bangkok, capping fares at 17-45 THB per trip regardless of how many lines a passenger uses. The new system is expected to be launched on 1 Jan 2027

Agoda data showed that Thailand remained one of Asia’s most searched travel destinations for stays in H1 2026, based on accommodation searches made from 1 Jan-10 Jun. Malaysia ranked first among international markets showing interest in travelling to Thailand, followed by South Korea, China, India, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Indonesia. China climbed from 7th place in 2025 to 3rd in 2026, one of the strongest growths at +38% YoY. Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Cha-am were the top searched destinations

IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its premium portfolio in Thailand through its voco and Crowne Plaza brands. The group has three voco hotels in development – voco Phuket Patong, voco Phuket Bangtao, and voco Bangkok Siam – and two Crowne Plaza hotels – Crowne Plaza Bangkok Rama 9, and Crowne Plaza Bangkok Grand Sukhumvit, which will become IHG’s largest hotel in Thailand. IHG also plans to introduce new brands to the Thai market, including urban lifestyle brand, Ruby, and its first premium collection brand, Noted Collection

The Tourism Ministry reported that Thailand has welcomed 15,447,571 international arrivals from 1 Jan-20 Jun, generating 745.39 billion THB in tourism revenue. China remained the top source market with 2,538,498 visitors, followed by Malaysia (1,992,324), India (1,188,190), Russia (996,840), and South Korea (576,404). Thailand welcomed 508,133 international arrivals in the last week, +4.41% WoW. Of the total, 373,263 were from short-haul markets, +3.37% WoW, while 134,870 were from long-haul markets, +7.4% WoW. China was the top source market for the week with 83,796 arrivals (+7.82% WoW), followed by Malaysia with 81,398 (+0.39%), India with 43,633 (-7.82%), Singapore with 24,225 (-4.36%), and Taiwan with 21,043 (+18.23%)

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) plans to double its portfolio in Southeast Asia over the next five years, including expansion in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit and riverside districts, as well as resort destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin, and Hat Yai. The group is aiming to introduce the Radisson Collection brand in Thailand, targeting luxury heritage properties through branded and affiliated models

The Tourism Minister said the next visa committee meeting would consider granting a 15-day visa waiver for Indian travellers, who are currently under the visa-on-arrival scheme. Some EU countries that currently receive no entry privileges – Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta – would be granted the same treatment as other EU member states. The ministry is also drafting a proposal for a new phase of a domestic tourism co-payment scheme, with funding expected from the 2027 central budget that will take effect on 1 Oct. The initial budget would likely be set at around 3 billion THB, similar to previous phases, offering 3,000 THB per room night, to be claimed via the Paotang mobile app

TAT and AirAsia MOVE signed an MoU under “TAT x MOVE: Seamless Journey, Amazing Thailand”, aiming to expand digital travel promotion through co-branded campaigns, content promotion, and joint marketing initiatives. AirAsia MOVE shared seven travel trends shaping Thailand tourism in H1 2026: • Asia remained the main driver of inbound travel, with Malaysia, India, China, and Indonesia as the top source markets • Younger travellers continued to influence travel patterns, with the 30-39 age group remaining among the largest traveller segments, seeking more personalised and meaningful experiences, such as adventure, local culture, culinary discovery, and immersive activities • Free Independent Travel also remained strong, with solo travellers accounting for 59.57% of all bookings • India emerged as a key market, with family and large-group travellers accounting for over 43% of Indian visitors, many staying for 7-15 days. Travellers from India recorded the highest revenue per booking on the platform, with demand increasingly coming from secondary cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, and Ahmedabad • Couple travellers accounted for 24.71% of Indonesian bookings and 73.4% of seats sold coming from AirAsia Members. • The US remained a key long-haul market, with travellers aged 50 and above accounting for 32% of US visitors on the platform. They have a 77% round-trip booking rate and tended to stay longer, spend more, and use Thailand as a gateway to Southeast Asia. • East Asian travellers from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan continued to show strong spending power, with over 70% staying in Thailand for up to five days

Co-owner of Pimalai Resort & Spa said the resort targets 600 million THB in revenue for 2026, +5 YoY, but expects occupancy rate to remain unchanged at 69%. Average occupancy rate was initially targeted at 75%, up from 70% in 2025, before being downgraded following the Middle East conflict. The resort is nearly fully booked for Jan-Feb 2027, as long-haul tourists have started planning their trips earlier to secure direct flights that bypass Middle East transits. The resort said bookings for the low season remain subdued as tourists cancelled Mar-Apr trips due to flights disruptions, while Jun bookings also dropped by 5%. The resort aims to increase low-season occupancy rate to above 50% through promotional packages and targeting short-haul guests, such as from China and India. The Thai Cabinet recently approved the use of mangrove forest land for the Koh Lanta bridge that connects Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Klang, which is expected to improve transport connectivity between Koh Lanta and mainland Krabi and reduce congestion on ferry queues

TAT organised the “Thailand Surf Therapy Real Experience and Trust Building Journey” on 18-19 Jun in Phangnga, ahead of the official launch of the Thailand Surf Therapy model at the Thailand Health Excellence 2026 on 30 Jun. The event was held in partnership with Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus; La Vita Sana; Memories Surf House; and Waves for Change from South Africa, an organisation specialising in surf therapy. A total of 36 tourism partners, wellness operators, and media representatives joined the event

The Department of Business Development (DBD) intensified their crackdown on nominee businesses in Phuket and Krabi. Inspections on 20 Jun found 10 companies in Phuket suspected of operating through nominees and connected to illegal ownership of four land plots with an estimated value of 116 million THB. Another 39 companies required further investigation, linked to 52 land plots with an estimated value of 115 million THB. Authorities also found 9 companies in Krabi suspected of operating through nominees, linked to 17 land plots with an estimated value of 209 million THB, as well as 8 other companies requiring further investigation, linked to 8 land plots with an estimated value of around 290 million THB

The Finance Ministry plans to increase annual economic growth potential from 2.7% to 3% by 2030 through pillars such as new investments, trade and services like tourism and agriculture

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister said the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination for Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat will be considered at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, from 19-29 Jul, with deliberations on the site scheduled for 24-26 Jul

Director of TAT Phangnga Office said “the structure of the Green Season market has shifted”, with domestic guests helping fill rooms alongside visitors from Australia, Europe, Britain, and Italy. The provincial Tourism Office reported that province welcomed over 1.5 million in Jan-Apr, including 927,091 international and 582,898 domestic travellers, 2X YoY, generating 20.3 billion THB. Many businesses are now seeing the Green Season (Jun-Sep), which historically been the quietest period, as an opportunity. Occupancy rates currently stand at around 40%-50%. Many hotels have cut room rates by over 10% to attract visitors during the low season. Khao Lak now has a strong reputation among affluent Indian travellers after being named Best Wedding Destination, International Category by Travel + Leisure India. Phangnga Hotel Association and tourism businesses will organise roadshows in Mumbai and New Delhi from 23-25 Jun

Thailand plans to launch the “Thailand Fast Pass” scheme on 3 Jun to accelerate major investments. The Board of Investment (BOI) said the programme is designed to expedite approvals and permits for large projects in targeted industries, reducing processing times by 20%-50%. BOI on 6 May approved nine more projects valued at a combined 52.1 billion THB under the “Thailand Fast Pass” scheme, bringing the total to 25 projects with combined investment valued at 223.2 billion THB

PM Anutin attended the Special ASEAN-Russia Summit in Kazan, Russia. The PM pitched Thailand as a strategic entry point into the ASEAN market, inviting Russian investors to use it as a regional base. He also proposed closer partnership between Thailand and Russia on connectivity, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges

Former Phuket Governor delivered a keynote presentation on “City Management towards Becoming a World-Class Tourist City: Lessons from Chiang Mai to Phuket” to around 100 participants at the 85th Advanced Public Administration Training Program (APATP) at The Metropole Hotel Phuket on 17 Jun. He noted that the development of a world-class tourist destination depends on four key factors: attractiveness, convenient transport, safety and reliability, as well as sustainable growth

The Ministry of Interior has launched a two-week consultation and complaint centre for hotel and service establishment operators to help them apply for licences, receive legal advice, and raise concerns with officials. The centre will run until 2 Jul. The Deputy Interior Minister reported that Phuket has about 5,000 hotel establishments, but only around 800 currently have valid hotel licences, while another 700 are awaiting approval

Phuket authorities are considering a proposal to hike the provincial tax on hotels from 1% to 3% of room rates to generate extra revenue for local development and tourism promotion. The proposal was raised during a workshop on tourism management amid the global energy crisis. The proposed increase would generate about 1 billion THB annually for the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), potentially rising to around 1.5 billion THB by taxing unregistered hotels too

The Culture Ministry assured that Thailand’s bids to nominate traditional Thai costume and Muay Thai as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage items will not be affected by Cambodia’s election to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the 2026-2030 term

The Oil Fuel Fund Office (Offo) advised the government to prioritise managing public sentiment during potential energy crises, warning that panic buying can be “more difficult to handle than an oil shortage”

The Forestry and Interior ministries, as well as police officers, published a demolition order on Nui Beach, warning business operators deemed to be encroaching to demolish their structures and return the land to the Royal Forestry Department by 9 Jul or face action from authorities

Mastercard and CrescentRating released the 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index 2026. The report shows 80% of travellers are now using AI tools for travel, highlighting the need of Muslim-fiendly services to be available digitally to make them visible. GMTI 2026 evaluates 150 destinations, representing 98% of global Muslim visitor arrivals, within the ACES framework: Access, Communications, Environment and Services. GMTI 2026 also found that the travellers are adjusting their itineraries to regional destinations, instead of long-haul routes through complex transit hubs, to avoid cancelling their plans. Southeast Asia has become a leading destination for 2026 for Asian Muslim travellers for its proximity, air connectivity, and halal ecosystem. Mindanao, the Philippines, was recognised as the Most Promising Muslim-friendly Region (Non-OIC) and Jawa Barat, Indonesia, is the Most Promising Muslim-friendly Region (OIC). Asia records nearly 128 million Muslim arrivals, and a 20.8% market penetration. Malaysia retained its position as the Top Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year for the 11th consecutive year, with a score of 83, followed by Indonesia, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia at second place with 79 points. Among non-OIC destinations, Singapore ranked 1st for non-OIC destinations, and 10th globally with 73 points, and Thailand and the Philippines also showed momentum

Thailand saw visitors from the Middle East dropping 25% to around 150,000 during the Jan-May period

The Department of Highways officially opened the upgraded section of Highway 101 in Nan. The Ban Pon-Chalerm Phrakiat section covers over 33.8km and is expected to reduce journey times and accommodate cross-border trade and tourism with Laos

EXO Travel announced that it will become part of Japan’s JTB Group after JTB acquired its parent company, All Wise Holdings Pte Ltd.

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) met with the President of the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute ASEAN-India Regional Office (JTTRI-AIRO) during the the 3rd Thailand-Japan Railway Workshop on 13 Jun. The workshop aims to strengthen Thailand’s railway tourism through knowledge sharing and cooperation with Japan. DRT Director-General proposed several areas for collaboration and plans to adapt Japan’s successful railway tourism practices to suit Thailand. One of the plans focuses on the development of local food products inspired by Japan’s railway lunch boxes, as well as exploring opportunities for the sale of One Tambon One Product (OTOP) products and locally-made goods aboard tourism trains

The Energy Minister announced that plans to impose higher electricity rates on large households with heavy consumption has been postponed, citing the need to review how power bills are calculated. The new prices were initially scheduled to be implemented in Jul. The minister said the government will continue offering electricity cost subsidies for households consuming no more than 200 units. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will subsidise the power prices. Egat has recorded a 36 billion THB loss as of Apr due to past subsidy programmes. Energy officials have proposed three measures to reduce power tariff rates for the public: • The Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority need to reduce their spending on street lights • The state electricity agencies need to amend conditions for power purchase agreements with renewable power companies, which were given the right to sell electricity to the government at high tariff rates • Electricity-hungry data centres need to be charged a separate electricity rate and draw on the nation's surplus power supply

TAT held a pre-event familiarisation programme in Pattaya on 9 Jun, before the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026, connecting Thailand with Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) partners Laos and Myanmar, as well as Bhutan. The programme was joined by 18 representatives from the public and private sector, including delegates from the tourism ministries of Laos, Myanmar, and Bhutan

TAT and Alipay+ have launched a campaign involving AI-powered recommendations and travel planning tools. The programme combines traveller behaviour data, AI-driven analytics and tourism information from TAT to generate recommendations across four categories: attractions, food, activities, and accommodation. The campaign will initially target Chinese travellers through Alipay, with recommendations delivered through in-app AI travel assistant Alipay+ Voyager

The Tourism Ministry reported that Thailand has seen 86.7 million domestic trips in Jan-May, +1.77% YoY. Bangkok was the most visited province, at 12,941,430 trips, followed by Chon Buri (7,104,411), Kanchanaburi (6,103,255), Phetchaburi (4,784,593), and Prachuap Khiri Khan (4,634,364). Bangkok was also the top province by revenue at 106 billion THB, followed by Chon Buri (44 billion THB), Chiang Mai (29 billion THB), Prachuap Khiri Khan (20 billion THB), and Chiang Rai (19.8 billion THB)

Head of Commercial at Thai Lion Air reported that average load factor for Jun-Jul has dropped YoY, due to travellers exercising more caution on their spending in the off-peak season following the Apr and early May holidays. She added that fuel prices will not immediately return to pre-war levels even if the US and Iran signed a ceasefire. Thai Lion Air has cut seat capacity by 15% since the start of the war. Board Advisor for the Thai Hotels Association said the 2026 low season is the weakest in years, with average occupancy rate in Chiang Mai only reaching 40%-45%, while some locations are seeing rates as low as 35%. Five-star properties that usually perform strongly are also seeing a decline in bookings. She added that three- and four-star hotels are impacted by weaker domestic purchasing power in both leisure and MICE sectors, as consumers prioritise spending on essential needs rather than tourism

TAT has cut its long-haul arrivals forecast for 2026 from 11 million to 10 million, mainly attributed to the Middle East conflict. Thailand has welcomed 5 million long-haul tourists YTD as of 7 Jun, -1.6% YoY, with Middle East arrivals dropping by 32%. TAT Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas said the long-haul market remains resilient, supported by an airline-focused strategy that enabled more direct flights, which has helped further growth from emerging markets like Kazakhstan (+8.3%), Uzbekistan (+28%), and Poland (+16.8%). TAT is also seeking direct flights from secondary cities in mature markets, such as France’s Lyon and Bordeaux. TAT is promoting long-haul transit hubs in countries like Turkey via Turkish Airlines, to attract European tourists, and in North Asia via airlines like Korean Air and Eva Air to attract tourists from the Americas

The Thai Cabinet has approved an extension of the reduced e-withholding tax rate until end-2027, from its initial end date in 2025. The extension is expected to improve business liquidity by around 27 billion THB

TAT reported that the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+), held from 10-12 Jun at the NICE Pattaya Convention and Exhibition Centre, generated over 15,000 business appointments, expected to create over 5.08 billion THB in tourism revenue, +12.9% YoY. TTM+ 2026 sorted 931.75kg of waste under its “Zero Waste to Landfills” approach, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 700.75kg of carbon dioxide equivalent. Waste management at NICE Pattaya was operated by N.C.C. Management & Development through over 20 sorting points across the venue. Food waste was processed into compost by Recycle Din; general waste, wooden utensils and chopsticks, was converted into refuse-derived fuel by Rungcharoen Environmental Service; and plastic, glass, and aluminium containers were recycled by Recycle Day. Reusable materials were donated to organisations in Chon Buri, including Baan Kru Boonchoo Foundation for Special Children, Phinchaem Witthayasorn School, and NICE Pattaya. Surplus food was redistributed to educational institutions and public-benefit organisations in the area

Fuel prices has declined by 1 THB per litre for diesel and 1.20 THB per litre for petrol at PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) and Bangchak Corp petrol stations nationwide

An Energy Ministry official warned that domestic oil prices in Thailand are expected to remain high until Q4 2026 despite global developments that could stabilise oil markets

TAT held the The Middle East and Africa Trade Meet 2026 (MTM): Bangkok Edition at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. MTM 2026 saw 39 travel companies from the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa participate at the TAT market briefing, a Thailand Privilege Card presentation, B2B appointments, and networking sessions with Thai tourism suppliers. The pre-MTM programme include a “VIP Open House Event: Lost World Experience” at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya on 12 Jun

TAT is utilising digital marketing and visual destination campaigns to improve consumer confidence and drive demand from the Chinese market. TAT Director for East Asia said their main strategy is “meticulous media monitoring”, aiming for immediate clarification for fabricated stories and resolution for legitimate incidents. TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Asia and South Pacific, said TAT remained focused on communicating that Thailand is a safe destination for leisure visitors. She added that the Chinese market has performed strongly, with arrivals in Jan-May seeing an estimate recovery rate of 18%-19%, and on track to reach the targeted 6.7 million arrivals in 2026. TAT is developing tourism products that align with younger Chinese travellers’ content-sharing habits, with a focus on destinations that perform well on social media

The private sector of Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi submitted a petition to the government, calling for a revision of the visa policy for Indian tourists. The petition was backed by 13 organisations, including the chambers of commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Tourism Council, and hotel associations in the three Andaman provinces. The group said the 2,000 THB visa-on-arrival (VoA) scheme is not an obstacle by itself, but could deter tourists travelling in large groups, such as wedding parties. They warned that Thailand could face potential losses of 8 billion THB if Indian wedding groups shift to other destinations during the upcoming high season

TAT held the First International Tai Chi Development Conference on 14 Jun in Bangkok, under the theme “Tai Chi and the World, Sino-Thai Family Bond”. The event aims to strengthen Thai-Chinese people-to-people exchange through culture, martial arts, wellness, and travel. The event featured cultural performances, cooperation signing among partner organisations, Tai Chi and Chinese martial arts demonstrations, Chinese-Thai cultural exchange sessions, award presentations, exhibitions, friendship cup Tai Chi showcases, master-led feedback, a collective Tai Chi learning session, and Thai massage demonstrations. Participants from China joined a 6-day sightseeing programme in Pattaya and Bangkok. TAT Guangzhou Office partnered with Spring Airlines to host a 5-day fam trip for three Chinese key opinion leaders from 12-16 Jun, visiting Bangkok, Rayong, and Chanthaburi

Owner of Indian travel agent TravelButler said the switch from visa-free entry to a visa-on-arrival (VoA) policy for Indian tourists is unlikely to affect the market. He noted the 2,000-THB VoA fee is not prohibitive, and travellers also have the option of a 1,000 THB e-visa. He added that the VoA is sufficient for Indian tourists and year-round demand to visit Thailand remains strong

The Foreign Ministry of Russia advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Thailand, especially Russian nationals who may be subject to legal action sought by the US, due to the extradition cooperation between Thailand and the US

TAT celebrated Global Wellness Day 2026 with its support for key activities in Koh Samui and Bangkok, as well as wellness-led experiences at hotels and wellness operators nationwide. TAT is supporting Samui Jump for Wellness 2026 in collaboration with the Samui Spa Association from 12-14 Jun in Koh Samui. Thailand’s Official Flagship Event of Global Wellness Day 2026 was held on 13 Jun at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Kelantan Police Chief stated that despite a 2025 travel advisory by the Foreign Ministry against visiting Southern Thailand still in effect, thousands of Malaysians visit the region daily via the three Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes, Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, and Bukit Bunga in Tanah Merah. He added around 3,000 people cross daily on normal days, and it reaches 4,000 during the weekend. During school holidays, around 6,000 to 7,000 people travel to Southern Thailand, with the peak travel reaching 10,000 in a single day. He noted this trend due to limited local tourism options in Kelantan, the appeal of short “overseas” trips, and better currency exchange rates, making Thailand more attractive. Among attractive activities in Thailand are Thai food, night markets, and low-cost consumer goods, such as popular items from convenience stores. He said Rantau Panjang could be strengthened by adopting a development model similar to Padang Besar, Perlis, with structured commercial areas and rest-and-service (R&R) style facilities to promote domestic tourism on the Malaysian side, through creating a space for retail hubs

Phuket’s Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) instructed a crackdown on illegal hotels, with officials arresting operators of seven unlicensed accommodation business in Phuket over the past two days

Assistant Governor for Corporate Relations and Bank of Thailand (BoT) spokesperson said that Thailand’s financial position remains stable despite global market volatility and that “there is no need for an extraordinary Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting as in the case of Indonesia”

Deputy Government Spokesperson reported that Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international arrivals from 1-31 May, +3.54% YoY, generating 108 billion THB, +12.77% YoY. Thailand welcomed 14.5 million international arrivals from 1-7 Jun, generating 701.36 billion THB. China remained the top market with nearly 2.4 million visitors, followed by Malaysia (1.8 million), India (1.1 million), Russia (964,670), and South Korea (552,621)

The Department of Provincial Administration of Phuket raided three accommodation establishments in Karon and Rawai, with investigations revealing that the properties had been offering hotel-style accommodation, accepting bookings, and advertising through online booking platforms without obtaining the licenses required under the Hotel Act

The Thai Cabinet has instructed a 15-day official mourning period following the death of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha

PM Anutin announced that all concerts and other events, including sports and entertainment, are allowed to proceed as planned following the passing of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Organisers and attendants are asked to rise for a moment of silence before the activities start during the mourning period

TAT is positioning Africa as a key growth market, in a bid to diversify visitor sources amid the Middle East conflict. The African market is showing strong growth, especially from Mauritius (+22%) and Nigeria (+35%), attributed to the rise of affluent middle-class driving demand for luxury and honeymoon travel, supported by air connectivity through hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Addis Ababa. Thailand has welcomed 63,031 visitors from Africa as of 25 May, generating an average of 56,279 THB per trip and staying for an average of 11.33 nights. TAT is focusing on South Africa and plans to organise trade missions in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban within this year

TAT announced that the Immigration Bureau has opened pilot access to the Thailand Immigration Management (THIM) app, with official launch expected for Aug. Foreign visitors still needs to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), with THIM acting as an optional app that travellers can use to access TDAC-linked registration

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are launching a reciprocal tourism promotion campaign to promote both cities across key public transportation networks and digital advertising platforms

TAT is organising the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026 at the NICE Pattaya Convention and Exhibition Centre in Chon Buri from 10-12 Jun, under the theme “Amazing Thailand: Healing is the New Luxury”. The event featured 429 international buyers, 428 Thai sellers, and over 100 international media representatives, with over 15,400 business meetings expected. TTM+ 2027 will be held in Khon Kaen

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported that the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell to 49.5 in May, the lowest level since Dec 2022, mainly attributed to the Middle East conflict and high oil prices. UTTC said the CCI for Jun would be a key indicator of whether confidence in the economy is starting to recover, since the government's “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme began on 1 Jun and will run until end-Sep

Krungthai Bank reported that the Thai baht opened at 32.94 per U.S. dollar on 10 Jun, weakening from the previous close of 32.83, with market analysts projecting it to trade within 32.75-33.15 to the USD over the next 24 hours

The Minister of Industry announced the return of the TikTok Live Commerce EXPO 2026, held by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank) in partnership with TikTok. The 2025 edition generated about 302 million THB in sales for participating businesses, supported over 2,200 stores joining TikTok Shop, generated about 789 million THB in economic value, and facilitated access to financing worth over 487 million THB. The 2026 edition will see around 20 influencers participating in live-stream sales featuring products from selected SMEs on 26 Jun. Participating entrepreneurs will receive free training from SME D Bank and TikTok Shop on TikTok advertising tools and live-stream sales techniques, as well as access to SME D Bank’s special financing packages

TAT and Agoda held a strategic meeting to further cooperation in travel intelligence, digital technology, and platform economy tools. The partnership combines Agoda’s travel insights and digital expertise with TAT’s destination marketing capabilities to support demand generation from global markets, as well as encouraging domestic travel across Thailand. The collaboration will promote Thailand’s tourism offerings – highlighting emerging trends like wellness tourism, and encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations – as well as support wider industry development through encouraging sustainable practices and capacity-building initiatives under Trusted Thailand

The National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains “fragile” but still under control, amid reports that China had delivered T-59D tanks to Cambodia under a defence cooperation agreement

TAT is supporting T-POP group DICE for their “DICE Busking Tour Across Thailand” and “DICE 1st THAILAND FANCON TOUR”, as part of its efforts to advance its Fandom Tourism strategy

Khlong Bang Luang in Pathum Thani province has gained interest among Chinese tourists after it was featured in Chinese television series “Speed and Love”. The series also featured other locations in Thailand, including MBK shopping centre, Talad Noi near Bangkok’s Chinatown, Saphan Kwai intersection, as well as areas along the Chao Phraya River and Khlong Bang Luang

TAT presented the Thailand Tourism Update at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026, highlighting the New Thailand directions through “Value over Volume”, “Healing is the New Luxury”, and “Travel with Care” initiatives

The “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme will be available on food delivery platforms ShopeeFood, LINE MAN, GrabFood, and Robinhood through the Pao Tang mobile app from 15 Jun-30 Sep. The scheme applies for orders placed between 6am-9pm, under which users pay 40% of their total while the government covers 60%. The four delivery platforms will also offer additional discounts to its users

Microsoft reported that Thailand saw the second-fastest growth rate globally in AI diffusion at 36.4%, although average diffusion rate (12.4%) remains low compared to the global average (17.8%). Diffusion rate refers to the percentage of a population that actively use generative AI products within a set period

At least 145 people were reportedly scammed out of a total of nearly 1.1 million THB by an X account offering BTS World Tour tickets. The account had built a strong following for ticket-booking services for major concerts with numerous positive reviews. The account was allegedly deleted by the operator after the BTS World Tour tickets went on sale and customers were unable to contact them

TAT has partnered with the Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague and Central Group to launch the Amazing Thailand Fest 2026 in Amsterdam from 3-16 Jun, under the theme “The Wholesome Taste of Thai”. Thailand welcomed 113,878 Dutch visitors from 1 Jan-31 May, with Bangkok, Surat Thani, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket as the most popular destinations. TAT expects Dutch arrivals to reach 259,455 by end-2026

The Thai Restaurant Association called on the government to expand the “Thais Help Thais Plus” co-payment scheme to include restaurant operators with annual revenue of between 2-5 million THB, which they considered as small restaurants. The association noted that in Q2 2026, restaurant operators have seen sales falling by 30%-50%, while raw material costs have risen by 15%-20%. The associations’ president noted that small restaurant operators have seen further drop in sales after the first week of the co-payment scheme, as diners shifted to micro food vendors eligible for the scheme

TAT, alongside public and private sector partners, launched the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2026 from Jun-Aug under the concept “Unforgettable Experience of Thai Brands”. TAT expects the campaign to generate over 700 billion THB in economic circulation

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister visited Sirinat National Park to inspect and review development plans to support eco-tourism and encourage community participation through tourism initiatives. A proposal was raised for a new floating pier at the park so boat services can offer alternative means of transport to and from the nearby Phuket Airport. The minister added that in regards of ongoing land encroachment cases within the park, authorities had already reclaimed some illegally occupied blocks of land and legal proceedings were underway

The Protected Areas Regional Office 6 in Songkhla announced the closure of the Khao Chet Yot Nature Trail in the Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary in Palian district, Trang province, during the rainy season, after a hiker became lost and later found dead along the trail

The Commerce Minister announced that Thailand and the UK have agreed to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, with Bangkok aiming to join the OECD by 2028

A Thai senator called on the Tourism Ministry to take action after 30,000-40,000 Malaysians travelling through the Sadao and Padang Besar border checkpoints during the Eid al-Adha holiday period (29 May-2 Jun) experienced severe congestion due to immigration and customs procedures. The senator suggested reforms such as the digitisation of immigration and customs paperwork, wider use of online systems for vehicle entry permits, and measures to reduce bottlenecks during peak travel periods

Thailand’s consumer inflation was 2.79% in May 2026, the second consecutive month of growth, with higher fuel costs, transport costs and food prices. However, electricity and hotel accommodation were lower in May 2026

Over 1,000 people visited Prasat Ta Kwai and Hill 350 in the border province of Surin on the first day of reopening on 6 Jun, after it was previously opened during the Songkran holiday. The trial tourism route to the two sites opened on 6-7 Jun, and will run again the following weekend

The President of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association called on the government to allow Malaysians to register their vehicles online prior to visiting Thailand to reduce long queues at border checkpoints like Songkhla

Head of Research at property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand noted that there are “legal structures, loopholes, and informal arrangements” that have existed for years in markets like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Samui in regards to nominee businesses, often involving both foreign investors and Thai facilitators