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This segment contains archives of Thailand Daily News from 2023 and creates a handy online resource for expats and tourists visiting the kingdom.
Having easy access to the latest Thailand News for tourists, written by native English speakers, is a rare commodity.
Even so, this is where you'll find everything you need to know about Thailand's lifestyles, sport, politics, and business.
This new section focuses on the current news reports with snippets of insightful analyses. Our website editors and researchers welcome any constructive feedback if you would like to send us an email.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to check out the local information found across all 6 major regions of Thailand, especially in the tourist hot spots of Bangkok, Pattaya, Isan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Tao, and Thailand's biggest island known as Koh Phuket.
Travelers have been impressed with the new service offered by one of the airport security officers who works at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The 55-year-old is able to provide Bangkok Airport information in Thai, English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese to members of the public looking for assistance.
Published: 15/09/2023
A rare guitarfish, related to skate cartilaginous fish species, got stranded on the shoreline at Pran Buri, which is about 25 kilometres south of Hua Hin in the Upper Gulf of Thailand.
Local residents, with further assistance from the authorities, managed to rescue a beached two-metre long guitarfish that weighed around eighty (80) kilograms.
Published: 14/09/2023
There are various ways to protect sea turtles from extinction around the world. This particular effort took place at the popular scuba diving destination of Koh Tao in Surat Thani Province.
In fact, three separate nests had produced dozens of hatchlings (baby turtles) from the mother known affectionately by the locals as "Thongdee" (translated to Good Gold or high quality).
Published: 13/09/2023
According to the Royal Thai Embassy in the United States, Thailand ranked as the 29th best country in the world. The list was compiled by the US News and World Report in 2023.
The criteria for rankings focus on the global performance of each nation across a total of 73 different attributes. They included daily life adventure, agility, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, and quality of life.
Published: 10/09/2023
A renowned website (TasteAtlas) for discovering traditional local dishes and ingredients has rated Thai Tom Kha Gai as the best chicken soup.
They also recommended Nahm Restaurant in Bangkok as being the best place to eat it. Second place runner up was Ciorba radauteana in România and Zeama in Moldova came third.
Published: 08/09/2023
Fifty or so world-class Bangkok golf courses attract about 700,000 golfers each year to the kingdom.
To further promote these stunning venues, the 2023 Thailand Golf Travel Mart (TGTM) takes place in September in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
Published: 07/09/2023
The chief mission for the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite 2 (Theos-2) is to carry out observation of the planet.
Following the successful testing, it has already been transferred to the European spaceport in French Guiana, South America from Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France and is awaiting the launch (scheduled for October 2023).
Published: 06/09/2023
A lack of rainfall in Khon Kaen province is affecting the rice fields for farmers, especially in the district of Nong Ruea.
This prolonged period of dry weather, which is unnatural for this agricultural region in Isan during the summer months, has drastically reduced the normal water levels in the fields.
Published: 05/09/2023
Data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand shows revenue generation for Prachuap Khiri Khan rising to over 23.8 billion baht (January to July 2023).
But, Thai nationals make up the vast majority of the incoming tourists. Plus, the month of September should attract even more visitors, due to several major events, including Hua Hin Cha Am Golf Festival and Palen Flea Market in Pranburi district.
Published: 03/09/2023
The local authorities issued a warning to swimmers and sunbathers about the dangers of touching blue dragon sea slugs washed up on Karon Beach.
Note: Click here for more information about blue glaucus (gastropod) sea slugs and why it's best not to touch them - even if you think they are dead!
Published: 01/09/2023
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) confirmed that Phuket International Airport (HKT) is to welcome taxis that use ride-hailing applications from September 2023.
Published: 30/08/2023
The so-called 'experience economy' is helping to bolster an upswing in international flights coming into Thailand. In fact, the resurgence in live concerts is surging in the capital city of Bangkok.
Thus, the growth for hospitality professionals aligned with it should also benefit. Forecasts project the global music tourism market is heading for $11.3 billion by 2032.
Published: 30/08/2023
Thai Airways International, which operates out of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport under the IATA code TG, is trying to sell six of their A380 fleet.
There was a proposal to bring them back into service. Even so, after retiring the entire A380-800 fleet back in 2021, the airline has now decided to look for qualified buyers.
Published: 29/08/2023
The Thailand News headlines are suggesting the Thai government has started preliminary talks about increasing VAT to 10%.
If it goes ahead, the extra funds would help secure better living standards for the elderly during their retirement.
Published: 28/08/2023
According to a recent Facebook post (by Phuket Info Center), tourists were greeted with a big splash from a humpback whale as they traveled on a boat from the Phi Phi Islands to Phuket.
It seems the giant creature was heading to the southwest of the Andaman Sea coastline when it lifted its enormous tail - before it descended back into the water.
Published: 26/08/2023
Thailand authorities issued a caution alert to the public not to download what appear to be registration applications promising 10,000 digital money. This relates to a central policy proposed by the Pheu Thai Party during its election campaign.
Published: 25/08/2023
A Thai Cabinet minister has threatened to shut down Facebook in the country. It seems the social media platform is failing to adequately screen advertisements which is leaving many people vulnerable to costly internet scams.
Published: 23/08/2023
Sydney concluded the fourth joyful event showcasing the 'unequaled' experiences that are exclusive to Thailand. It followed similar events that took place in Barcelona, New York, Osaka in Japan.
Published: 22/08/2023
It was a night full of glitter and glamour when the judges chose Anntonia Porsild, age 26, of Nakhon Ratchasima as the winner of Miss Universe Thailand.
She was actually born in India (to her Danish father and Thai mother). Anntonia is fluent in English and Thai and spent much of her childhood in India, Thailand, Denmark, and Spain.
Published: 21/08/2023
News reports about the low season in Trat Province seem to be anything but 'typical' - according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
They say tourists are travelling in their droves to explore the many popular attractions and activities at the idyllic islands of Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
For example, the morning of August the 20th saw more than 500 tourists (mostly European) arrive at the Laem Sok Pier in Muang District to join the local ferries departing to the islands.
Published: 21/08/2023
As progress continues, it seems the 250 kilometre section between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima province is already close to 40% completed.
The second section will join Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) with the northeastern province of Nong Khai.
Published: 19/08/2023
The proposed construction of the first large-scale international cruise ship port in Chonburi Province is one step nearer. A second seminar took place at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya in August 2023.
If it goes ahead as planned, they will locate it at Bali Hai Pier near the bottom of Walking Street. It will accommodate a passenger terminal with other supporting infrastructure and amenities.
Published: 18/08/2023
The TAT, along with the provincial governor department of Nakhon Si Thammarat, are taking steps to increase tourism in the region.
In fact, you can fly from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Nakhon Si Thammarat in about an hour. So, why would you go there?
Well, being nicknamed 'the green lungs of Thailand', it should come as no surprise that this area is full of natural wonders that make for a unique escape away from city life.
Published: 17/08/2023
In an effort to achieve 20% electricity from clean energy within two years, Airports of Thailand (AoT) implemented a large area of solar panels to the rooftop of the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
The solar power system has an initial capacity of 4.4 megawatts (MW). In addition, the panels should help to reduce terminal temperatures by up to 7° Celsius, which could produce annual savings around 11 million Thai baht.
Published: 17/08/2023
Local officials in Phuket Island (Pearl of the Andaman) welcomed almost 4000 tourists as they docked at the Phuket Marine Custom Pier in Makham Bay.
The Bahamas national liner called 'Genting Dream' recently visited Singapore and then hopped over to Phuket before setting sail again and heading to Penang in Malaysia.
Published: 16/08/2023
Traffic police officers will be wearing a uniform similar to that of the crime prevention and suppression officers from the middle of September.
There will be a white logo stripe on the backside that displays the wording 'Traffic Police' and they will also be wearing a fluorescent armband.
Published: 16/08/2023
Thailand's Pet Expo Championship offers an opportunity for animal lovers to congregate at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
This annual event spotlights the fun part of participating in pet competitions. The gathering combines a variety of health products, training supplies, animal hospitals, and pet accessories.
Published: 15/08/2023
The Marine Department is speeding up development of the Smart Pier system on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and the surrounding areas.
If the project goes as planned, it could make passenger piers and the docking points more convenient and safer. It could also enhance the public transportation services for commuters and tourists.
Published: 14/08/2023
The trend of Chinese tourist arrivals is experiencing stable and improved growth due to a reduction in the visa application process.
The TAT governor revealed the number of Chinese tourists entering into Thailand increased from 300,000 to 400,000 per month, with further expectations of it reaching 500,000 per month.
Published: 14/08/2023
Police retained a 9mm automatic pistol from a Thai man who shot himself in the leg - by accident - as he enjoyed a dance with other pub-goers inside the popular Nectar Pub, in the municipal area of Hat Yai, Songkhla.
Published: 13/08/2023
After finding the body of one missing tourist, rescue teams continued their search for another near the resort of Cha-am, Phetchaburi province.
News reports suggest that one of the local tour boats encountered a waterspout (a rotating column of water) and subsequently capsized in Bang Tabun Bay.
Published: 13/08/2023
It took several brave guys working at the Mirakel Wildlife Rescue Center in Krabi Province, Thailand to remove a huge snake weighing around 47 kilograms.
The local authorities said king cobras are not common in the area, and they will release the enormous serpent somewhere deep in the forest where it can start a new life.
Published: 13/08/2023
The first half of the year saw Thailand fruits remain as strong exports to China. The director-general of the Foreign Trade Department confirmed the popular trades are durian, guava, mango, and the purple mangosteen.
Another significant growth area for exports to China are Thai coconut products (especially the shells) - up 27% year-on-year. The Commerce Secretary expects fresh fruit exports to China to rise by 10% this year.
Published: 12/08/2023
The Thai Prime Minister inspected the new satellite terminal at Bangkok Airport in anticipation of its opening at the end of September 2023.
SAT-1 occupies an area of 216,00 square metres and should be able to handle 15 million passengers per year. In turn, that should help to increase the annual capacity to 60 million.
Published: 12/08/2023
After overstaying his legal visa to remain in the Kingdom of Thailand by a period of fifteen (15) years, Thai police arrested an Iraqi man in one of the popular Western Thailand Provinces.
Law enforcement tracked down the culprit in Kanchanaburi at an unnamed guesthouse. They found a 43-year-old Iraqi guy who had entered Thailand in May of 2008 with a NON-B visa which subsequently expired in August 2008. Yes... that's a 5,468 day overstay!
Published: 12/08/2023
Smiling in Thailand joins everyone in the kingdom to wish good health and happiness for the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.
Published: 12/08/2023
The Thai Cabinet gives approval to a draft royal decree permitting the cultivation of opium and magic mushrooms, with the provision of being for medicinal use and on a trial basis.
The Justice Ministry presented the proposal after receiving unanimous support from several important government bodies, including:
In other words, the decree is designed to foster further innovation, and thereby reduce dependence on imported morphine and antidepressants.
Published: 10/08/2023