Thailand

Around 6,000 protestors demanded the resignation of the Thai PM in Bangkok on 28 Jun

The President of Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium stated that tourism operators remain on alert after the discovery of suspected explosive devices, but that international tourists have not cancelled their plans. The Krabi Hotel Association believes that restoring tourism sentiment is the most important, and that the cases should be thoroughly investigated with the motives of the suspect reported. They said that tourism operators are not worried about the impact of these as it is low season and occupancy rates are at 30-50%. The tourism and Sports Minister urged the media to refrain from reporting on such incidents, as they could impact tourism

The PM has reassured the public that the attempted bomb threats were an attempt to create unrest in those areas, and that safety measures are put into place

The closure of the Haad Lek border checkpoint has been revealed to be costing the economy 80 million THB per day, in trade, supply chains, seasonal workers and tourism

Koh Samui has increased security inspections on all vehicles and individuals arriving onto the island after the discovery of suspected explosive devices

Thailand will host the electronic music festival Tomorrowland in 2026. The PM said that Thailand would bring Thai cultural elements to Tomorrowland and ensure local participation too, calling the event “a new opportunity, a new economy, new income, and a new path for Thai people in the creative industry”

The Sa Kaeo Governor raised concerns to the PM over an abnormal increase in Cambodian passport applications, up to 200 per day from the usual 30-40, which they see is linked to employment and gambling activities. He also called for the reinstatement of a 1,000 THB re-entry fee for Cambodian nationals over Songkran, as the previous exemption cost around 74 million THB. He also called for postponing activities to mark the 75th anniversary of Thai-Cambodian relations and suspending all non-humanitarian aid to Cambodia

The Deputy Transport Minister revealed that the casino-entertainment complex bill will be deprioritised when parliament reconvenes, although its removal must be decided through a formal resolution as the draft law is already on the parliamentary legislative agenda

The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has started preliminary investigation into the audio recording of PM Paetongtarn’s phone call with ex Cambodian PM Hun Sen. NACC Secretary-General said the case is still at the preliminary screening stage, where officials are determining whether it falls within the NACC's jurisdiction. The initial phase also involves analysing the content of the clip, which includes dialogue in multiple languages

TAT has opened registration for business operators to join the “Half-Half Thailand Travel” initiative. The scheme is open for restaurants, souvenir shops, OTOP product stores, tourist attractions, spas and massage services, car and boat rental providers, hotels and other accommodation services. Registration for the general public will begin on 1 Jul. Travel benefits under the programme will be available for use between 4 Jul-31 Oct

Hylife Group – a real estate, asset management, and manufacturing firm from Chiang Mai – signed an MoU with the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and key partners like K Wave Media, Solaire Partners, and Lewis Pictures. The MoU aims to transform Chiang Mai into a regional film and entertainment leader. Hylife Group also aims to launch the Chiang Mai International Film Festival in 2026

Grab has introduced a three-pillar support strategy – boosting sales, expanding access to funding and utilising AI to improve efficiency. For the first pillar, Grab launched the “Top-Up Discounts” programme – a co-funded deal where the platform matches restaurant discounts – which has increased order values by over 70% for participating merchants. Grab also launched the “0% commission campaign” until 31 Aug for new restaurants, which offers 90-day fee waiver, marketing support, and 400 THB in GrabAds credit to increase visibility on the platform. For the second pillar, Grab focused on funding, particularly for merchants new to borrowing. In Jan-Apr, 40% of its “Quick Cash Loans” went to first-time borrowers, with loans of up to 100,000 THB and monthly interest capped at 2.75%. For the third pillar, Grab is leveraging AI through the AI Merchant Assistant embedded in the GrabMerchant app

Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research) estimated the value of Thai restaurant and beverage businesses at 646 billion THB in 2025, +2.87 YoY, but lower than the previous projection of 657 billion THB in Dec 2024. Full-service restaurants are projected to reach a total revenue of 209 billion THB in 2025, +1.1% YoY, with the lower growth attributed to a reduction in dine-in frequency and lower average spending per bill. Limited-service restaurants are expected to reach a market value of 92 billion THB, +2.1% YoY, driven by the expansion of quick-service chains. Street food businesses with storefronts are expected reach a market value of 261 billion THB in 2025, +4.7% YoY. President of the Restaurant Association said that in 2025, the “Thai restaurant industry seems to be more challenging than during the pandemic” as concerns about economic uncertainties are making people feel financially unstable and dining out less frequently. The decline is also attributed to a drop in foreign visitors, especially those from China who have relatively high spending per bill

The Utopia Urban Glam – a luxury real estate development in Saiyuan area, Rawai, Phuket – was officially launched with a traditional Brahmin pillar-laying ceremony on 25 Jun. The seven-story property is developed by Utopia Development Co Ltd and will feature 110 residential units. It is expected to be completed by Dec 2027

Two suspects was arrested for alleged connections to a suspicious object found at Phuket Airport on Jun. The police seized explosive devices from the suspects’ car. During questioning, the suspects admitted that four explosive devices had been planted – one hidden in a motorcycle abandoned near Phuket International Airport, two buried at Patong beach and one at Promthep Cape. All devices identified had been located and destroyed. Meanwhile, an improvised time bomb was discovered and safely defused on 26 Jun at the Mahad wood sculpture installation on Uttarakit Road in tambon Pak Nam of Muang district, Krabi. A suspicious motorcycle was also found abandoned at the central mosque of Krabi province on 26 Jun, with authorities preparing to inspect the vehicle

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) President said that the delay of the casino-entertainment complex bill should not affect Thailand’s tourism industry, as the country has welcomed many tourists without this kind of attraction in the past

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has downgraded its GDP growth projection for 2025 to 1.7% from 3%, due to increasing risks such as the US tariffs, the Israel-Iran conflict, border tensions with Cambodia, and government instability

The Indian Association of Tour Operators has reported that Southeast Asia is seeing a shift in preference for Indian travellers, as they turn to more stable destination, with Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia benefiting from last minute bookings

The Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network issued a statement criticising the Public Health Minister’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic within 45 days, following the exit of Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition government. The network will hold a mass rally outside the ministry offices in Nonthaburi on 7 Jul to push for the reinstatement of previous principles that allowed public access to cannabis under appropriate regulation, and for the government to stop any attempt to relist cannabis as a narcotic

The Mother Land of Muaythai 2025 event was held on 21 Jun in Sa Kaeo province. The Pattaya Marathon 2025 will be held from 19-20 Jul and is expected to attract over 53,000 runners and spectators from 68 countries

The production of “Jurassic World: Rebirth” movie invested over 400 million THB during its shoot in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang between Jun-Jul 2024. The film is scheduled for global release on 2 Jul 2025. The film is expected to improve Thailand’s visibility and bring economic benefits, including creating over 2,200 jobs for Thai workers

The Chief Government Whip responded to Bhumjaithai Party’s announcement that it would initiate a no-confidence motion against PM Paetongtarn on 3 Jul. He noted that the dates for a censure debate “must be agreed upon jointly by the whips of both sides and the Cabinet” and predicts that a debate could be held during the third or fourth week of Jul

PM Paetongtarn announced a set of urgent measures to tackle rising economic pressures, transnational crime, and public concerns over national stability, including: • Tightening cross-ministry coordination to tackle cross-border crime, especially at the Thai-Cambodian border, in line with UNODC reports • The Energy Ministry’s contingency plans to mitigate energy shortages amid rising global fuel prices • Tasking the Finance Ministry with implementing target-driven support for households and small businesses, focusing on grassroots economic stimulation • Tasking the Commerce and Agriculture ministries to address declining crop prices and strict enforcement against illegal imports of agricultural goods • Tasking the Defence Ministry, provincial governors, and police chiefs to improve drug enforcement efforts • Tasking the Tourism Ministry to accelerate domestic and international tourism incentives, while prioritizing traveller safety

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they plan to evacuate 3,000 Thai construction workers from Israel and 73 people from Iran. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, along with other Thai embassies in the Middle East, successfully evacuated the first group of 22 construction workers from Israel on 22 Jun

Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs said that Thailand and Cambodia needs to return to negotiations to resolve border dispute, as retaliatory measures are just for short-term effect

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has submitted a petition to the PM asking for the minimum wage raise to 400 THB to be revoked. An advisor to the THA board said that major layoffs could be seen during the low season if the government went ahead with the minimum wage hike. She added that five-star hotels in Chiang Mai, which served as one of the pilot areas for the minimum wage hike, had already felt an impact from increasing wage costs, which reached +14% YoY. President of THA southern chapter said the wage hike is expected to have a critical impact on provinces with low wage rates, such as hotels in the Deep South, which would suddenly see an 18.7% increase

The Tourism Ministry reported that Thailand welcomed 16.04 million international visitors from 1 Jan-22 Jun, -4.24% YoY. Malaysia was the top source market with 2.19 million visitors, followed by China with 2.17 million

Phuket Provincial Police reported that 28,809 foreign tourists have been fined for traffic offences on the island in 2025. Russian tourists accounted for 3,121 cases, followed by Chinese (1,721), British (1,419), French (1,365), and Indian (1,069). Since 1 Jan, 369 foreigners have been arrested for various offences, including 87 violations of the Immigration Act, 65 cases of drunk driving, 27 breaches of the Alien Employment Act, 23 drug-related incidents, and 51 other criminal offences

The Tourism Minister announced that the Cabinet has approved a 1.75 billion THB budget for the “Half-Half Thailand Travel” campaign, which aims to promote domestic tourism during the low season. The campaign is expected to generate 35 billion THB through an additional 2.67 million domestic trips and create at least 40,000 jobs between Jul-Oct. The TAT Governor said that the programme should attract at least 100,000 registrants, with its quota of 500,000 room-nights. The programme will subsidise 40% for accommodations in primary cities and during weekends and public holidays in secondary cities, and 50% during weekdays in secondary cities. Usage will be limited to up to 5 nights per person via digital coupons, and accommodation subsidy will be capped at 3,000 THB per night

Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said that the minimum wage raise to 400 THB may cause many businesses to be unable to afford to pay their workers. FTI added that it is not a good idea to increase wages in H2 2-25 as Thailand is facing various economic challenges

PM Paetongtarn claimed that her coalition remained strong and that the Cabinet reshuffle had been finalised

The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission has decide to launch a preliminary investigation into PM Paetongtarn’s controversial phone call with ex Cambodian PM Hun Sen. The Constitutional Court is also scheduled to meet on 1 Jul and will likely consider a plea asking if the PM should be removed from office for ethical breaches

The Defence Minister said that local military commanders can recommend the closure of the disputed Ta Muean Thom temple in Surin province, should the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border worsens. Cambodia previously accused the Thai army of allowing a group of 150 Thai cyclists to visit an area of the temple that it claims is on Cambodian soil. The Thai army spokesperson claimed that the area is on Thai soil

The Thai Cabinet has approved 115 billion THB-worth of stimulus projects to revive the sluggish economy to offset the impact of US tariffs. The projects include: • 34 infrastructure development projects worth 85 billion THB, including 26 projects worth 45.9 billion THB to improve secondary city road networks, enhance travel safety, support agricultural logistics, and resolve traffic bottlenecks • 420 tourism-related projects worth 10 billion THB, including upgrading tourist attractions, sports stadiums and other facilities; improving tourist services; enhancing safety through CCTV installation; and promoting tourism in secondary cities. The projects are expected to attract 2.76 million additional tourists, generate 55 billion THB in economic value, and benefit 7.6 million people. • 10 projects worth 11.1 billion THB focusing on export resilience, productivity, and digital infrastructure • 17 projects worth 9.2 billion THB for community economy and other initiatives, including 4 billion baht for village and urban community development; 3.6 billion baht for educational human capital and 1.56 billion for local economic development

The Bumjaithai Party said that it would seek a parliamentary no-confidence vote against PM Paetongtarn and her cabinet

The United Nations issued a letter to the Thai government, highlighting serious concerns over human trafficking and forced labour connected to online scam operations across Southeast Asia. The letter called for urgent clarification on 10 key points, including the government’s stance on the allegations, measures taken with other nations to tackle this trafficking, and steps to ensure victims are not punished for crimes committed while enslaved

TAT Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas said that there had been no reports of cancellations by tourists despite the Israel-Iran conflict and disruptions to aviation in the Middle East. President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) southern chapter said Phuket has already received 20%-30% forward bookings for the year-end high season, mainly from Europe, and there had been no cancellations. Vice President of the Thai Travel Agents Association said Thai outbound tour groups will go ahead with their travel plans to Europe this week and next month, as Middle Eastern airlines resume normal services

TAT will run the “Be My Guest” campaign from 26 Jun-1 Jul, featuring two main initiatives – Soft Power Fam Trip and Rhythm of Thailand. The fam trip will welcome over 20 international celebrities, embassy-nominated guests, entrepreneurs, and influencers on a trip to Samut Songkhram, Sukhothai, and Chanthaburi for an immersion into Thai food, history, craft, and lifestyle. Rhythm of Thailand will pair 10 influencers from key markets – such as the US, the UK, France, China, Italy, and South Korea – with 10 Thai creators for a mission-driven journey across 10 destinations – Sukhothai, Chanthaburi, Samut Songkhram, Phetchabun, Nan, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Phang-nga, Surat Thani, Rayong and Chanthaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Nayok and Khao Yai, and Bangkok. They will publish content exploring Thai Soft Power themes. An “Amazing Thailand Saneh Thai Gala Night” will be held on 30 Jun at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok

The Pattaya Tourist Police Bureau has launched advanced CCOC Mobile (Community-based Crime Observation Centre) patrol units to keep tourists safe as part of the “Strong Tourist Community” project. The vehicles are linked to a hotline that offers support in eight languages — English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, French, German, and Hindi

PM Paetongtarn chaired a meeting regarding the suppression of transnational crimes. She promised to take down scam gangs based in Cambodia, noting that the Thai government’s campaign has caused the scam centres to lose income opportunities worth about 30 billion THB. The PM also said that Thailand will strengthen control at border crossings with Cambodia. The Thai government will cut off internet connectivity to Cambodia's military and security organisations as well as cross-border supplies of oil, electricity and other products

The Thai PM has said that Thailand is intensifying measures to counter call centre scams, online fraud and illegal gambling. On 23 Jun, she will chair a meeting looking at cross-border crime that threaten national security, after which new measures will be announced to “combat transnational cybercrime and protect the Thai public”

The TAT has noted that the Israel-Iran conflict has caused a 30-50% YoY drop in tourist arrivals from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria from 13-15 Jun. The 5 countries account for around 7% of Middle Eastern arrivals to Thailand

The PM has said that all coalition partners have pledged support for her government, and she seeks to maintain political stability

The Deputy PM and Finance Minister signed a non-disclosure agreement with the US ahead of trade negotiations

The Pattaya Mayor said the city will begin trials on the long-delayed waste incinerator project at the end of Jun, with full operations set to start by mid-Aug. The facility is designed to dispose of newly generated waste, as well as a backlog of waste at an estimated over 100,000 tonnes that has accumulated since 2016

A National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Poll on public opinion regarding the casino-entertainment complex policy showed: • 56.72% said they oppose both the entertainment complexes and casinos, 24.12% said they support both, 8.78% supported entertainment complexes without a casino, 1.37% supported casinos only, while 9.01% had no opinion • Of those who opposed both options or supported only the entertainment complex without a casino, when asked about whether they supported allowing privately funded development (no government budget) with estimated revenue generation between 12-39 billion THB per year: 84.15% still opposed both, 11.31% supported entertainment complexes without casinos, 3.26% supported both, 0.70% supported casinos only, while 0.58% had no opinion • When asked whether government-imposed anti-money laundering and entry control measures would change their view: 81.47% still opposed both, 10.49% supported entertainment complexes without casinos, 6.18% supported both, 1.04% had no opinion, while 0.82% supported casinos only • When asked about proposed legislation that would allocate revenue from the entertainment complexes to fund education, infrastructure, and support for vulnerable groups: 78.21% opposed both, 14.10% supported entertainment complexes without casinos, 6.53% supported both, 0.58% supported casinos only, while 0.58% had no opinion • When asked about the likelihood of the draft entertainment complex bill passing parliament during the first reading in early Jul: 37.10% said the bill would be considered but rejected, 27.48% believed it would be postponed, 19.85% believed it would be passed, 8.17% did not answer, 7.40% believed Parliament would be dissolved before the bill is debated • When asked about the idea of holding a national referendum on whether to allow a casino-inclusive entertainment complex: 61.60% supported holding a referendum, 30.08% opposed it, 7.94% had no opinion, while 0.38% did not answer

Phuket’s pink Pho Thong buses have been replaced by 24 new electric buses from China, each costing over 5 million THB. The new EV buses will serve the previous Pho Thong routes with a flat rate of 15 THB. Free rides are available for students, senior citizens, monks, and people with disabilities. Previous Pho Thong drivers have been laid off, with those interested in continuing required to pass a qualification test. Some laid off drivers have been redirected to new roles through the Phuket City Development Company (PKCD)

The Foreign Market Analysis Department has projected the possible impact of the Israel-Iran conflict on Israeli tourist arrivals to Thailand: • Scenario 1 – A recovery within Q3 2025 would see an overall annual growth rate of 24% and around 350,000 Israeli tourists. There is a projected tourist loss of around 77,000 visitors from the initially predicted 52% growth trend • Scenario 2 – Extended conflict without negotiated ceasefire is expected to cause severe impact from mid-Jun to Nov, with a recovery to normal travel patterns in Dec. Overall annual growth rate is expected to stand at 19% at around 335,000 Israeli tourists. There is a projected tourist loss of around 92,000 visitors from the initially predicted 52% growth trend

TAT reported a 48% WoW decline in Cambodian visitor arrivals from 1-18 Jun following the closure of key border checkpoints. Cambodian arrivals from Jan-May totalled 197,658 people, -14% YoY. Daily average of Cambodian tourists entering Thailand declined to 1,200 in 2025, vs 1,500 per day in 2024

Hotels in Aranyaprathey, Sa Kaeo province, has seen hotel occupancy drop due to the closures of the Thai-Cambodian border, mainly due to a lack of Thai travellers crossing the border via Ban Khlong Luek, or Indonesian travellers who stop en route to Cambodia

Protests continued throughout Thailand calling for the PM to resign or dissolve parliament following the leaked phone call with Cambodian Hun Sen

Thailand’s Tourism Minister stated that the Thai PM will not resign nor dissolve Parliament

The Commerce Minister said tariff negotiations with the US will continue despite domestic political tensions. The US Trade Representative (USTR) requested Thailand submit its initial proposal for tariff negotiation by 27 Jun US time

The Department of Business Development reported that there are 170 registered faith-based businesses in Thailand as of 31 May, with a registered capital of 221.95 million THB

Estonia-based ride-hailing app Bolt plans to increase its investment in Thailand in 2026. The firm plans to keep service fees 40% lower compared to its competitors. Bolt spent 300 million THB on investment in Thailand between 2023-2025. The company said about 25% of ride-hailing users in Thailand are foreign tourists, totalling 20.1 million rides in 2024

The Thai Hotels Association (THA), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand, released its Hotel Business Confidence Index for May 2025. The survey was conducted from 13-28 May across 116 hotel operators. The survey shows: • Over 50% of Thai hotel businesses expect a YoY drop in international tourists in 2025, particularly from short-haul markets (excluding China) • Over 50% of hoteliers expect revenues to decline for Q2 2025, with earnings projected to fall by at least 10% in the North and Central regions • 27% of hotels expect revenue to decline by more than 20%; 20% by 11–20%; 8% by 6–10%; while 17% expect income to remain close to 2024’s levels • Average occupancy dropped to 62.2% in May, down from 69.2% in Apr, with hoteliers projecting a further decline to 51.5% in Jun. Hotels with 4-star and above saw an average occupancy of 58.4%, while hotels with 3-star and below saw 49.8% occupancy • Foreign guests were mainly from Europe, Russia, and non-ASEAN Asian countries

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) said that a coup must be avoided at all costs, and tourism confidence should be maintained as the industry has already been affected by external economic and geopolitical factors. He added that so far, foreign tourists and travel agents have remained unaffected by the political situation in Thailand, but were more worried about airspace closure due to the Israel-Iran conflict, which prompted them to cancel trips to Thailand

Second Army Region Commander advised PM Paetongtarn to "be mindful" and support the national interest with a moral policy when handling the border dispute with Cambodia. He also suggested the PM to set up a team of advisors to support her and rebuild international confidence in Thailand

The Tourism and Sports Minister has forecasted a drop in Israeli tourist in Jun and Q3 2025, seeing a 29% YoY decline possible. In its first scenario, it now sees 350,000 arrivals, +24% YoY if tensions ease in Q3 2025, or if the conflict lasts more than 6 months, scenario 2 would see 19% YoY growth and arrivals of 335,000. However, it still sees an increase in 2025 as Jan-May saw a 76% YoY growth. The Tourism Council of Thailand said that many Israelis were stranded in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as they could not fly home

The Phuket Peranakan Festival will be held on 20-22 Jun at Phuket Old Town, with the theme “Phuket City Festival to The World”. The festival aims to promote the island’s Peranakan heritage, position Phuket as a global culture destination, and strengthen relationships within the Old Town community and across ASEAN. Over 3,000 participants and 20 floats are expected to join the parade on 21 Jun. The festival is jointly organised by the Phuket Provincial Office, PPAO, the Thai International Festival and Events Promotion Association (TIEFA), and the Peranakan Association of Thailand

President of the Thai Hotels Association said the private sector, especially the tourism industry, would like the government to take careful steps in maintaining domestic tranquillity, as well as addressing the sluggish economy and the border conflict with Cambodia. He also warned the government against pushing the Entertainment Complex Bill into the next parliamentary session as it would “create more risks for the country”

Central Pattaya to host Thailand’s largest Pride Parade and festival from 27-29 Jun. The events are a collaboration between Central Pattaya, the City of Pattaya, TAT Pattaya Office, the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, the Sister Foundation, and over 100 LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide

A video posted by a diving instructor in Bang Saray of a 6-metre whale shark swimming alongside a dive boat off the coast of Sattahip went viral on Facebook. Local tour operators hope the presence of the whale sharks in the area – which signifies rich, balanced ecosystems – could boost eco-tourism in Bang Saray and Sattahip

The Phuket Governor said that local officials are pushing for the creation of designated “green zones” for cannabis sales and consumption, in a bid to control the industry that has “spiralled out of control” since legalisation. The Phuket City Municipality is planning to send a formal proposal to the central government requesting zoning regulations for cannabis businesses

The Bank of Thailand reported that the Finance Ministry has approved three applicants to establish the first virtual banks in Thailand, namely ACM Holding Co (TrueMoney), which is backed by the CP Group; Krungthai Bank (KTB), collaborating with Advanced Info Service and PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR); and the SCB X consortium, comprising the holding company of Siam Commercial Bank, South Korea’s KakaoBank, and WeBank. The virtual banks will start business operations within one year from the date of approval

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Thailand’s Government House to demand PM Paetongtarn’s resignation following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The leaked call showed Paetongtarn referring to the Thai army's northeastern commander as her opponent and addressing Hun Sen as "uncle", resulting in strong public backlash

The Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest party in the current government’s alliance and holder of 69 House seats, withdrew from PM Paetongtarn’s government following a leaked phone call between the PM and former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. Bhumjaithai stated that it will “work with all Thai people to support the army and officials who safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests of Thailand in all ways”

PM Paetongtarn apologised for the leaked phone call between herself and the former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. In the phone call, the PM is heard urging Hun Sen for a peaceful resolution to the current border dispute, and urging him not to listen to “the other side” in Thailand. She told reporters that was a negotiation tactic and she had no issues with the military. Following Bhumjaithai Party’s exit, the government has 261 MPs, vs 234 for the opposition. The loss of another medium-sized party would leave PM Paetongtarn with a minority government, potentially forcing her to resign or call an election

An Army spokesman relayed that the Army Chief expressed concern over the ongoing political developments and reaffirmed his commitment to protect democracy and national sovereignty

The National Wage Committee approved a raise in minimum wage to 400 THB for hotels with 50 rooms or more, hotel restaurants, and entertainment venues licensed under the Service Establishment Act, such as such as karaoke bars and cocktail lounges. The move is expected to impact over 700,000 workers nationwide

The Thai Cabinet has approved a 15.35 billion THB budget to lease electric buses for Bangkok under a new plan proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). A total of 10.1 billion THB will be spent on leasing the EV buses, 3.2 billion THb on maintenance, and 967 million THB on charging stations. The first 368.4 million THB will come from the current fiscal year budget, with the rest to come between 2026-2031. BMTA expects the EV bus programme to generate 52.65 billion THB in revenue over 7 years, mostly through fares and advertising, with an expected profit of 19.85 billion THB

The Cherng Talay Police Station launched a beach campaign at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, in line with safety directives from Provincial Police Region 8 and the Phuket Provincial Police, aiming to protect tourists from drowning during the monsoon season by promoting water safety awareness and prevention measures

Thailand Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau’s (TCEB) North America representative noted that The White Lotus has “put Thailand on the radar for North American planners”. She added that hotel rates in Thailand are very competitive. She encouraged Thai suppliers to invest in outreach, especially to first-time North American planners

The Commerce Minister expects Thai and US officials to agree on tariffs as low as 10%, following negotiations via video conference and Thailand’s proposal aimed at strengthening economic collaboration between the two countries. A date for ministerial level talks had yet to be set

The Tourism and Sports Minister reported that the Cabinet has approved a plan to bid 40 billion THB for the rights to host Formula One races in Bangkok for five years starting in 2028

The TAT Governor said that the Israel-Iran conflict has already impacted air travel in the Middle East, with several airlines operating flights to Thailand already adjusting their routes to avoid conflict zones and airspace closures. The airlines include Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air and SalamAir. She added that arrivals from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria – which comprised 7% of visitors arriving in Thailand from the Middle East in Jun 2024 – may fall by 30%-50% to between 3,500-5,000 in Jun 2025, as tourists postpone their trips during the Eid al-Adha period, which attracted 7,165 tourists in 2024. Key destinations for those markets, such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai, are likely to see the most severe short-term impact

The National Wage Committee said that the increase in daily minimum wage to 400 THB for all workers in Bangkok will take effect on 1 Jul. The 400 THB minimum wage will also apply to workers in most hotels and entertainment venues nationwide

The TAT Governor reported promising growth from key European markets with high purchasing power. Arrivals from Germany increased by 71% YoY from 1-9 Jun, from Italy by 28% YoY and from Switzerland by 24% YoY. Arrivals from the Middle East also grew 55% YoY during the period, with Saudi Arabia leading with a 61% YoY growth, followed by Oman (54%), UAE (51%), and Israel (32.49%). Forward airline bookings. International arrivals during the summer airline schedule are expected to rise from all key markets, with Europe increasing by 21%, Middle East by 25%, and Asia by 7%. Bookings are also strong for the winter slot (Q4), with Europe expected to grow by 17%, America by 12%, and Asia by 22%

Hilton hotels in Bangkok and Pattaya had partnered with Wat Chak Daeng in Phra Pradaeng District to support plastic recycling efforts through providing used hotel amenities and plastic bottles to turn into monk robes, flooring materials, and plastic chairs. The hotels have donated over 18,000 plastic bottles for recycling at the temple

Ten Khiri Travel staff have earned the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism after completing a four-week online course and examination

La Liste – a website for global restaurants and hotel guide – has listed the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok among its world’s ten best hotels list for 2025

TAT announced that the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2025, held from 4-6 Jun at the Royal Park Rajapruek in Chiang Mai, achieved the Carbon Neutral Event Self Declaration status. TAT partnered with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to monitor and calculate carbon emissions generated at the venue, with all emissions fully offset through the Carbon Knox Declaration platform. The event reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 669.84 kgCO₂eq – equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of 47 trees – and diverted 1,080.63kg of waste from landfill through a sorting and recycling system. Waste included 555kg of general waste, 425kg of food scraps, and 100.63kg of recyclable materials. TAT also collaborated with Central Tham and Recycle Day to manage waste. Organic waste was sent to Chiang Mai University for biogas production, while PET plastics and other recyclables were sent to processing centres. Surplus cooked meals that had not been served were distributed to nearby communities. A total of 300 food and water packages were delivered to the Wat Don Chan Orphanage and the Northern School for the Blind in Chiang Mai. TTM+ 2025 saw over 13,000 scheduled business appointments and attracted 406 buyers from 51 countries, 450 sellers, and 117 media representatives

Malaysian arrivals have surpassed Chinese arrivals to become Thailand’s top source market for the first time in 13 years, since 2012. Chinese arrivals reached 2,029,481 people from 1 Jan-8 Jun, while Malaysian arrivals reached 2,041,002

TAT proposed a 2.5 billion THB plan for its “Entertainment Hub” project, which aims to support exclusive concerts by international artists as well as hold music festivals in Thailand. President of the Thai Hotels Association believes that the key factor is for the government to ensure Thailand becomes the exclusive host of these concerts in Southeast Asia, citing Singapore's strategy during 2024’s Taylor Swift concert

The Ascott Limited debuts its The Crest Collection brand in Thailand with the opening of La Clef Bangkok on 16 Jun. The property features 115 serviced apartments

The Slate and up to 20 other hotels in North Phuket are collaborating under a new private-sector initiative to position the region as a MICE destination. The group plans to approach and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s and private sector consortiums such as Thailand Incentive and Convention Association to drive the campaign forward

Dusit International is confident of a “strong turnaround”, with revenue from Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside being recognised from Q4 2025 onwards. In 2025, it expects to grow its revenue by 20-25%, targeting 9 billion THB. It has decreased reliance on its hotel revenue from 90% to 67%, and expects revenue to grow 20-25% in 2025

The Thai PM has said that Thailand has no plans to deport Cambodian workers, and leaves it up to the workers to decide

Thai and Cambodian officials met on 14 Jun to try to resolve the border dispute

The Thai PM has said that Thailand has not made any official announcement as to the cutting of electricity or internet to the Cambodian border, calling it a misunderstanding, potentially due to leaked information which led Cambodia to believe that Thailand had already started to execute the plan

Singapore secured its position as the world’s leading Muslim-friendly non-OIC travel destination for the 3rd consecutive year in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025. GMTI 2025 gave Singapore a score of 71, a 5-point increase YoY. Thailand and the Philippines scored 57 and 53, respectively

Bang Lamung District Chief reported that nearly 200 unlicensed guesthouses and rentals applied for registration after a joint operation launched by Pattaya City, Pattaya Police Station, and Chon Buri’s Forensic Division 2 to conduct on-site inspections under the 2008 and 2023 Hotel Business Regulations. After document reviews, fingerprint checks, and property assessments, 158 businesses met the criteria and were approved for legal status

Bangkok ranked 7th in the world’s top international conference destinations in 2024, according to the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) GlobeWatch Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings. The ranking is an improvement from Bangkok’s 15th place ranking in 2023. The city also ranks 3rd in APAC and 2nd in ASEAN in 2024. Bangkok hosted 115 international meetings in 2024. Thailand hosted 158 international meetings in 2024, up from 143 in 2023, bringing its ranking from 26th to 25th, as well as retaining its 5th place ranking in APAC and first in ASEAN. A total of 13 Thai cities made it into the rankings in 2024, including Chiang Mai (12 events), Pattaya (10), Phuket (8), Chonburi (3), Chiang Rai (2), Pathum Thani (2), Hua Hin (1), Khon Kaen (1), Samui (1), Nakhon Ratchasima (1), Nonthaburi (1), and Pattani (1)

The Pattaya Mayor held a discussion with the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) for the implementation of the “CPR on The Beach” project, aimed at providing training on emergency reporting, basic first aid, and emergency vigilance to communities and tourism operators in Pattaya

C9 Hotelworks’ Samui Hotel & Tourism Market Review 2025 showed that hotel occupancy levels peaked in Jan 2025, +8% YoY. Overall occupancy in 2024 rose 12% YoY despite some decline in Q1 during the Chinese New Year period. Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose 9% YoY in 2024, and notably, 21% YoY in Apr 2025. Europe remained the top international source region, at 56% of arrivals in 2024, driven by travellers from Germany, the UK, and France. Koh Samui currently has 634 registered accommodation providers with 24,188 keys. New branded properties set to open in the short term include the Nivata Koh Samui (Tapestry Collection by Hilton, opening Q4 2025) and SO/ by Sofitel and Fivelements Samui (both set to open in 2026).Koh Samui welcomed 35 cruise ships carrying 65,792 passengers in Jan-Apr 2025, +6% YoY. The island welcomed 50 cruise liners in 2024, nearly doubling YoY. Samui International Airport recorded 1,127,832 passenger arrivals in Jan-Apr 2025, +9% YoY. Air arrivals reached 2.78 million in 2024, +21% YoY and surpassing pre-pandemic levels

Thai restaurateur, Chef Ton, has reported that Thai restaurants at every level due to the decline in tourism, particularly from Chinese tourists. He also noted weakening demand in fine dining from 2024, with corporate dining declining too. In May 2025, his group saw a 50% YoY drop in sales, and forecasts Jul-Sep to be the toughest time, during rainy season

Over 100 representatives from civil society organisations submitted a petition backed by 53,900 signatures to the Election Commission (EC) on 12 Jun, urging the government to hold a national referendum on the legalisation of casinos in Thailand. The EC has 30 days to verify the signatures, and if the petition meets all legal criteria, it will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretariat of the Cabinet

Chief Executive of Galaxy Resorts Thailand suggested the gaming areas within Thailand’s proposed Entertainment Complexes to be limited to only 5% of total floor space to address public concerns. He noted that even the small portion could generate up to 80% of revenue to subsidise hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and other non-gaming attractions

Chief Brand Officer Thailand for Galaxy Entertainment Group disagreed with People’s Party spokesperson’s opinion that the decline in Chinese arrival was at least in part due to Beijing’s opposition to gambling. He noted that the decline in tourism numbers was more attributed to the recent negative publicity around scam centres on the Thai border and the kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Jan around the Thai-Myanmar border. He added that “Thailand tourism needs a reboot with entertainment complexes being one important strategy to fuel incremental growth”

The Tourism Minister reported that Thailand has welcomed 15,016,878 international arrivals from 1 Jan-8 Jun, generating an estimated 699.3 billion THB in tourism revenue, -2.87% YoY. The top source markets are Malaysia (2,041,002), China (2,029,481), India (1,035,864), Russia (981,011), and South Korea (702,267). Arrivals averaged 80,826 per day during the week of 2-8 Jun

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) and the Thai Fresh Market Association organised the "Thai Fruits Festival 2025 by DIT". The events are held across 13 fresh markets in Bangkok and suburban areas throughout the fruit harvest season, aiming to distribute over 50 tonnes of fruit daily

Founder and Chief Executive of Koko Global Hospitality (Thailand) Co Ltd (KGH) said that the market is quieter than expected during the low season, but hopes the sector would recover by the year-end high season. KGH expects to maintain its occupancy rate in 2025 at 75% in its nationwide properties and 80% in Bangkok. Thais account for 15%-20% of hotel guests at KGH properties, with some locations such as Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai seeing a higher proportion. The Founder also noted that the company sees opportunity as more independent property owners may seek management services during the turbulent period. He also noted a promising opportunity for three-star hotel segment. He aims for KGH to manage 100 hotels by 2026, with around 75% located in Thailand, 20% in the Philippines, and 5% in Japan. The company also aims to manage 1,000 hotels across 10 countries by 2035. KGH currently manages 41 hotels in the three countries, including direct management of 34 hotels, with 10 currently in the pre-opening phase, and consultancy services for seven hotels, totalling over 2,500 rooms

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index fell by 4.8% since 15 May, attributed to the Thailand-Cambodia border confrontation. Krungsri Capital Securities (KCS) said that the issue impacted cross-border commerce between the two countries and affected confidence in sectors exposed to Cambodia, such as F&B, cinemas, and hospitality

Pattaya Mayor announced that the city plans to deploy AI-powered police drones to find criminals and visa overstayers. The drones are linked to a centralised AI database so they can scan faces in crowds and pick out individuals with outstanding arrest warrants or expired visas. They will be used during large-scale local events and in tourist hotspots

President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) warned that the proposed Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act (Equal Accommodation Bill) that aimed to simplify hotel licensing procedures could open a “dangerous loophole”. He noted that allowing individual condo units or homes within residential buildings to register as accommodations without converting the entire building to hotel status could infringe on residents’ rights

Tatler Asia (Thailand), with support from the TAT, held the Phuket Dining Festival 2025 from 30-31 May, highlighting Green Gastronomy and Responsible Tourism

Thailand has been featured in Lonely Planet’s new The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide, which highlighted 50 global destinations that are safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ travellers

Commander of the Tourism Police, senior officials from the Transport Inspection Division, and local police units, conducted a coordinated crackdown on taxis operating in key tourist areas like Siam Square and the surrounding area of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The officials arrested 49 taxi drivers within just one day for offenses such as refusing passengers (13 cases), not using meters as legally required (22 cases), improper attire (5 cases), use of unauthorized vehicles (1 case), failure to maintain or renew meter devices (1 case), driving without a license (3 cases), and lack of proper vehicle registration (3 cases)

Chairman of the Board of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and former TAT Governor believes that Thai tourism is at a “critical turning point”, and is experiencing a “significant structural change”. The main issue is the decline in Chinese visitors, with Thailand projected to see less than 5 million Chinese arrivals in 2025 for the first time in 12 years. He recommended three concepts to transform Thai tourism landscape – Better Target, Better Quality, and Better Future

Product Director at Chinese online travel agency Tuniu Corporation said the number of Chinese tourists booking trips to Thailand has dropped to 20,000, from the initial over 100,000 annually. However, she believed that the market still has opportunities to rebound through new potential segments. The company launched the “Niu tours” (meaning “excellent tours”), which offers higher priced packages with high standard guides, five-star hotels, and high quality experiences. The tours has reportedly been well-received. Tuniu also noted live-streaming via Douyin as an emerging sales channel for the Chinese market

The Deputy Finance Minister said that the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the Thai economy is likely to become clearer in Q3, once the US starts trade negotiations with Thailand

The Ministry of Culture launched the 2025 Thailand Biennale campaign under the “Eternal Kalpa” theme at the Royal Phuket City Hotel. The campaign will run from Nov 2025 to Apr 2026, featuring works from 65 local and international artists

Thailand promoted regional tourism cooperation at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2025, held from 4-6 Jun in Chiang Mai. Representatives from the Greater Mekong Subregion and Bhutan promoted cross-border tourism to over 400 buyers from 51 countries and 450 sellers. The products promoted during the event include self-drive caravan travel linking Thailand with Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; railway tourism from Bangkok to Laos, with a future connection to Kunming, China; and cruise tourism, to connect Laem Chabang Port, Thailand, to Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore

Thailand has reduced the allowed stay for Cambodian visitors entering by land to 7 days from the previous 60 days for passport holders and from 15 days for border pass holders, in response to Cambodia cutting visit limit to 7 days from 14 days for Thai visitors coming by land. Cambodian visitors to Thailand arriving by air can still stay for up to 60 days. Cambodia will extend Thai visitors’ stay by air from 14 to 60 days, as initially planned, from 10 Jun. The Thai Foreign Ministry announced that Thai security officials would propose to the National Security Council of Thailand to suspend electricity and internet services to Cambodian regions hosting casinos and scam centres. There are also alleged plans to control the supply of products that could be misused for technological or transnational crimes in Cambodia

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently introduced 11 low-carbon tourism routes, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi, and Phuket. Thailand set a target of 30% of all vehicles produced to be electric vehicles by 2030 to achieve full zero-emission vehicle adoption by 2035. Under the Mile Green initiative, Thailand will establish a nationwide EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure. Thailand currently recognises tourism business for its sustainability with the Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating (STAR) is a certification system

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the “Alone But Not Lonely #MeMyselfAnd…” campaign to encourage women to travel solo by offering promotions for airlines, buses, car rentals, cameras, and even accommodations. A survey by Booking.com found 60% of Thai women have experience in travelling alone and more than 40% intend to travel alone in 2025

Phuket will host the Peranakan Festival 2025 from 20-22 Jun as part of the ‘Festival Economy 2025’ campaign under the ‘Arts and Culture Festival for Tourism and Economic Promotions’. The Phuket Provincial Office, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), and the Peranakan Association of Thailand will host the event. The event will feature a conference and exhibition

Korean K-pop group “Twice” will perform in Bangkok from 13-14 Dec at the Impact Arena as part of their world tour

Travel and visa agencies reported disruption and delays due to the Thai-Cambodian border clash. Some border posts on the are now operating from 8 am-4 pm on the Thai side instead of from 6 am-6 pm, including the popular Aranyprathet-Poipet and Pong Nam Ron (Hot Water Spring) in Chanthaburi province. Foreign tourists are reportedly not being hassled, but there has been long queues due to ID checks carried out on Thai nationals and local Cambodian traders. The land border crossings between Thailand and Laos or Malaysia are unaffected

Cambodia’s Defence Minister said that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to initial border positions following the 28 May clash where a Cambodian soldier was killed

Security authorities on the Thai and Cambodian side of the land border checkpoint at Ban Khlong Luek sealed the border at 4pm unexpectedly, stranding thousands of Cambodians and Thaus in either country. Authorities announced that operating hours would be from 8am-4pm daily, vs 6am-10pm usually, due to heightened tensions. The Royal Thai Army also took control of all Thai checkpoints on the Cambodian border, assuring that it would minimise inconvenience and only close borders when a genuine security threat was received. The Thai army’s Burapha Task Force also announced that for the crossings: Thai nationals travelling for gambling and tourism and prohibited from exiting Thailand Cambodian traders can cross with valid passports and border passes, with validity reduced to 7 days from 14 days Humanitarian medical transfers are permitted with approval from the coordination office

The Thai PM has said that the military have been given the task of making on-the-ground decisions with regards to the Cambodia-Thailand border tensions, and that whilst peaceful means would be way to engage, Thailand would be prepared to engage if confrontation is unavoidable

Thailand is preparing to sign a contract for a high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will oversee the 224 billion THB project. The Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee said the signing is expected by Jul. The government and Asia Era One, the private consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group, renegotiated the terms after they were unable to meet payment deadlines under the original contract

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) announced that Misamis Oriental province will be considered for inclusion in the prestigious ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). Four other sites also discussed to be included in the AHP network, Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve in the central state of Pahang, Malaysia; Bako National Park in Kuching, Malaysia; Lambir Hills National Park in Miri, Malaysia, and Doi Inthanon National Park in Thailand

Deputy Finance Minister said investors believe that Thailand could become the third largest entertainment complex centre after Las Vegas and Macau in the next 5-10 years and generate 39 billion THB in revenue for Thailand. He presented details to the Senate Select Committee on 5 Jun. He added that an integrated entertainment complex is not a gambling den, but a large-scale investment. The entertainment complex is expected to increase spend by 22,300 THB per person, increasing tourists by 5%-20% annually and increasing the number of tourists by 13% during the low season

SiteMinder’s global webinar series “Risk, Resilience & Revenue – Navigating Hotel Demand in 2025” data found the Malaysian hotel market reached $192.44 USD in average daily rates (ADR), +8.28%. Malaysia is the only country in Southeast Asia to record growth in ADR fo Jun-Aug 2025. Bookings across Southeast Asia dropped by 2.35% YoY, higher than the global decline of 1.17%. This drop is attributed to -3.16% in bookings from the US market to the region. Thailand’s overall ADR dropped to $193.35 USD, -2.32%. Bangkok recorded $105.62 USD, -6.79% YoY vs $113.31 USD. The average length of stay in Southeast Asia is 2.35 days, and Thailand recorded a 3-day average stay, +6.13% YoY. Booking lead times for mid-year travel to Southeast Asia in Apr were 80 days, and Thailand recorded 80.76 days

The Commerce Ministry said Thailand’s annual inflation rate was recorded at negative for the second consecutive month in May. The consumer price index dropped 0.57% YoY in May vs a 0.22% YoY drop in Apr. The ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office Head expects a positive inflation reading in Jun, but the forecast was 0.2%-0.4% below the central bank’s target. He attributed the drop to lower energy prices and more production of agricultural goods. The core CPI excluding food and energy prices increased by 1.09% YoY in May, higher than the 0.94% forecast. The headline inflation from Jan-May was 0.48% and the core rate was at 0.95%

The Department of National Parks ordered a ban on tiger walking activities at the tiger park following an incident where a tiger attacked a tourist. Tiger Park and Tiger Kingdom Phuket denied that the incident happened in their facilities. The incident happened in a tiger zoo in Sri Racha District, Chonburi Province, on May 26. The zoo covered all medical expenses and flight costs for the tourists

SiteMinder’s global webinar series “Risk, Resilience & Revenue – Navigating Hotel Demand in 2025” data found the Malaysian hotel market reached $192.44 USD in average daily rates (ADR), +8.28%. Malaysia is the only country in Southeast Asia to record growth in ADR fo Jun-Aug 2025. Bookings across Southeast Asia dropped by 2.35% YoY, higher than the global decline of 1.17%. This drop is attributed to -3.16% in bookings from the US market to the region. Thailand’s overall ADR dropped to $193.35 USD, -2.32%. Bangkok recorded $105.62 USD, -6.79% YoY vs $113.31 USD. The average length of stay in Southeast Asia is 2.35 days, and Thailand recorded a 3-day average stay, +6.13% YoY. Booking lead times for mid-year travel to Southeast Asia in Apr were 80 days, and Thailand recorded 80.76 days

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking cut Thailand’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 1.5%-2%, a drop from the initial forecast of 2%-2.2%. The economic expansion is expected to drop below 1%. The Thai Bankers’ Association said that the nearly 3% GDP growth in H1 2025 was driven by temporary public investments, and that the economy is losing momentum due to a drop in Chinese tourist arrivals and slow private consumption. THB strength is around 32.5-32.7 THB/USD, appreciating faster than Vietnam and Singapore

The Finance Ministry projects that an entertainment complex with a casino will boost the GDP by 0.8%. The Deputy Finance Minister launched the “Thailand Entertainment Complex” on 4 Jun. The casino-entertainment complex project is worth 100 billion THB, creating 9,000-15,000 jobs, benefiting SMEs and generating 100-200 billion THB per year in tourism revenue. The project is projected to boost GDP by 0.23%. Annual tax revenue from the project would be 12-40 billion THB

International arrivals to Thailand dropped for the 4 consecutive month in May to 2.6 million, -14% MoM, the longest streak of drops since the pandemic. The biggest drop was from other Asian countries. Regional arrivals dropped 11% YoY from Jan-May 2025. Thailand welcomed nearly 1 million fewer Chinese tourists YTD 2025 vs 2024. The Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand blamed negative images for the drop in tourists. The 33% YoY drop in Chinese arrivals is attributed to the scam gang’s kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Jan. Tourist arrivals from Malaysia dropped by 17%. Hong Kong, Britain, and Australia issued travel warnings following concerns over earthquakes and safety. China Trading Desk’s flight booking data from Jun-Aug shows that Chinese arrivals recorded -15% YoY. Hotel occupancy is predicted to drop to 52% in May from 63% in Apr, driven by a drop in Chinese tourists, based on a survey of 140 hotel operators in the Thai Hotel Association. Daily room rates are expected to drop in Q2 as hotels reduce prices to compete with others. Tourists from the US have increased to 625,000 from Jan-May, +12% YoY, and visitors from Europe recorded 3 million, +18% YoY. The increases are attributed to the success of The White Lotus Season 3

Agoda’s survey found hotel searches to Thailand saw an increase in Europe, especially from Greece (+67%), the Czech Republic (+26%), and Poland (+16%). Bangkok remains the favourite destination for European tourists, while Koh Samui is recording an increase in popularity due to the TV show The White Lotus, shot in Samui and Phuket. YTD 2025 international arrivals recorded -2.7% YoY, but short-haul tourist arrivals have increased. From 26 May-1 Jun, Thailand recorded +29.3% YoY tourists from Malaysia, South Korea, China, and Singapore, from 26 May to 1 Jun, and long-haul tourists recorded +9.6%

The Deputy Prime Minister said Thailand is committed to resolving the border conflict with Cambodia by peaceful means. Cambodia continues to bring this border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while Thailand seeks to negotiate this through the Thai-Cambodia Joint Boundary Committee (JBC). He added that the Royal Thai Army, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are closely working to find a resolution but are prepared to defend Thailand’s sovereignty if needed. He said there are no official orders to close any border crossings and denied rumours of any disagreement between the government and the army over closing the border in response to increasing tensions. He said there are no troop deployments at the checkpoints, but said the preparations are in place

The US Embassy in Bangkok assured student visa interviews are still being conducted and visa applicants may continue to apply, despite an order to stop adding new student visa appointments

Thailand welcomed 14,362,694 foreign tourists from Jan-May 2025, -2.7% YoY. Thailand recorded 672.629 billion THB in tourism revenue, +1.05% YoY. In May 2025, tourist arrivals recorded a -13.93% YoY. The top source markets were: China, 1,958,939 Malaysia, 1,901,464 India, 978,600 Russia, 961,143 South Korea, 673,563 UK, 512,181 US, 469,388 Germany, 462,696 Japan, 444,274 Taiwan, 430,827

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2025 from 4-6 Jun in Chiang Mai with a focus on sustainability, soft power, and digital transformation. TTM Talk will be held under the “The Soul of Thailand: 3F Essentials” promoting Thai soft power such as “Flavours, Fulfilment, and Fabrics”. The event welcomes 406 international buyers from key markets, including 143 first-time buyers, 32.27% of the total attendees. The top countries are China, Thailand, India, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, and South Korea. The event features 450 Thai tourism operators, +4.65% YoY including 119 new participants. 134 sellers are certified under TAT’s STAR Program for sustainable tourism, and 51 under the CF Hotels initiative

The Ministry of Tourism expects a stimulus budget of 13.3 billion THB to generate 267 billion THB for the economy. The Tourism Minister said the proposed budget will be reviewed by the Budget Bureau before submitting it to the cabinet for approval on 10 Jun. The Ministry will allocate more than 3 billion THB to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for 3 projects: 1.7 billion THB for the co-payment scheme for domestic tourists, 750 million THB to subsidise chartered and scheduled flights, and 800 million THB for online travel agents. TAT Governor expects the projects to generate 87-90 billion THB for the industry. TAT said that 750 million THB allocated for flights will generate 35.5 billion THB in revenue from 790,000 arrivals from Jul 2025- Jul 2026. 350 million THB is allocated for the Chinese market to welcome an additional 140,000 tourists from 15 secondary cities in China, to counter the drop in Chinese arrivals of 33% YoY to 1.95 million from Jan-May 2025

Deputy Secretary-General to the PM outlined the “Thailand Entertainment Complex” project, which aims to provide year-round attractions, especially during the mid-year low season when Thailand’s natural destinations see less visitors. The development will include exhibition centres, large-scale concert venues, museums, water parks, amusement parks, high-end restaurants, OTOP (One Tambon One Product) centres, and business incubation hubs. Officials stressed that the casino facilities will operate under stringent regulations. The government projects the complex to generate 12.04-39.25 billion THB in annual state revenue, including tax income from five-star hotels and theme parks. The revenues will be allocated to support education, youth development (music, sports, technology), public health, aid for vulnerable groups, and the promotion of CSR and community development in surrounding areas

AirAsia MOVE revealed 2025 travel trends for Thailand: • 79.89% of all bookings were for domestic travel, with Thai travellers increasingly opting for secondary cities such as Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, and Surat Thani • 26.52% of all bookings were made over a month in advance, while 18.04% were made within 4-7 days prior to departure • Staycation bookings in Bangkok have increased by 15.9%, with destinations with small, accessible airports such as Prachuap Khiri Khan, Udon Thani, and Chiang Rai seeing significant growth • International travel accounted for 20.11% of all bookings, with top destinations including Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia, with Tokyo, Osaka, HCMC, and Kuala Lumpur among the most booked cities • Thailand is a top short-haul destination for regional tourists, especially those from Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China • Japanese and Korean tourists to Thailand, especially, plan 1-2 months ahead and over 60% prefer 4-5 star accommodations • Average domestic airfare stood at 2,523.48 THB, while average international airfare stood at 4,130.58 THB • Average hotel rates stood at 3,864.41 THB domestically and 3,409.66 THB internationally • Four-star hotels are the most booked at 36.7%, followed by 3-star (29.9%) and 5-star (15.4%) hotels

Thailand targets 4.5 billion THB from Pride Month tourism events in 2025. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to position Thailand as a top destination for the LGBTQ+ community

The Prime Minister participated in the Bangkok Pride Festival 2025 on 1 Jun, alongside more than 300,000 attendees at National Stadium, central Bangkok. The event was held under the theme of “Born This Way"

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Grab launched the “Tiew Tua Thai Suk Kan Yai Wai Jai Grab” – “Explore Thailand, Enjoy More, Trust Grab” campaign to promote travel across Thailand. The campaign involves popular Thai celebrities. The campaign was trending on X, attracting 2.3 million engagements and more than 1 million reposts within the first 24 hours. Grab and TAT will offer 100 THB off with the code “AMAZING25” on eligible Grab services, including transport, food, and parcel delivery until 31 Dec

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism denied scam centre reports involving Taiwanese tourists who were trafficked from Thailand to Myanmar. She said the news was old news, and had actually occurred in Jan 2025

Thailand will host various LGBTQIAN+ events in Jun 2025 under the theme of “Pride City Network 2025”, with celebrations in nearly every region. The Bangkok Pride Festival, which concluded on 1 Jun, featured more than 30 local Pride events

Phu Langka National Park in Beung Kan province has increased the daily visitor limit to Naka Cave from 350 to 1,500 people, after seeing a spike in interest. They announced this during the Naka Cave Opening Festival: The Wonders of Phu Langka,” in Bueng Khong Long district

The Budget Bureau has set aside 509.9 million THB from its 2026 revenue to promote the border areas as a medical hub under the government’s plan to position Thailand as a wellness destination. The Prime Minister plans to develop Thailand as a global health centre, offering wellness spas, hot springs, beauty treatments, medical care, dentistry, cosmetic surgery, traditional Thai and alternative medicines, and laboratory services. This segment is expected to generate revenues exceeding 690 billion THB per year through 7 key policies driven by the Public Health Ministry. A Public Health Economic Policy Office will be set up to promote Thai wisdom and herbal medicine and encourage health-related tourism. The funds will be used to upgrade: New hospitals and a cancer screening and treatment centre in Kanchanaburi (75.9 million THB), Sa Kaeo (82.6 million THB) and Tak (4 million THB) Minimally invasive surgery centre in Nong Khai (69 million THB) General medical services in Pattani (7.2 million THB) a heart centre in Sakon Nakhon (26.3 million THB) An advanced tertiary care unit in Mukdahan (82.6 million THB) A lower Mekong medical hub in Ubon Ratchathani (152.5 million THB) An advanced ophthalmology centre planned for Nakhon Si Thammarat (9.6 million THB)

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said an updated city plan will be implemented in 2027. The plan was first drafted in 2013 and was set for enforcement in 2019, but was postponed by the Interior Ministry for further reviews on water and environmental zoning. The revision of the city plan is 70% complete and will be submitted to the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) in Jun

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) expressed disagreement on key issues in the proposed Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act. THA President said the biggest concern was the definition of “overnight accommodation”, which refers to property with no more than 29 rooms accommodating no more than 58 people, vs the current limits of 8 rooms for 30 guests. He added that under the law, investors who purchased multiple units in a condo or housing estate could operate them as hotel rooms by securing a majority support at the owners’ annual general meeting (AGM). THA also disagree with defining a “room” as a standalone unit of an overnight accommodation, instead, the registration should apply to whole buildings to prevent community disruption and safety of the guests

Pang Sawan water curtain attracted visitors to Uthai Thai during the long weekend, boosting the local businesses in Ban Rai district

Chiang Mai Zoo will welcome 2 new pandas from China in late 2025. 110 million THB will be spent to construct new facilities

Park and navy divers are assessing corals at Mu Ko Surin National Park, concerned about damage to the coral following the sinking of a cargo ship from Myanmar. The ship carried 7,700 litres of diesel, but it was not leaking into the sea. However, the concern was over possible damage to the coral from the ship