The trip of every tour company typically included a stop at Koh Miang or Koh Si, which houses the park’s office and food shop. Princess Beach, a stunning 400-meter stretch of fine white sand, was a popular destination for swimming and snorkeling, with coral formations scattered near the rocks. Visitors could also take a natural walking path to Lan Khor Luang viewpoint and enjoy a small beach near the security unit of the Phang Nga Naval Base.

Reports on the collection of fees for the Similan Islands National Park during the Songkran festival indicated that a total of 2,653 tourists visited on April 11, with a fee collection of 1,005,050 baht. On April 12, 2,600 tourists paid a total of 809,600 baht, while on April 13, 2,533 tourists generated a fee collection of 542,450 baht. Finally, on April 14, a total of 2,869 tourists paid 775,900 baht in fees.

Those who wish to see the beauty of the Similan Islands should plan their visit soon, as the park is set to temporarily close on May 16, 2023, and will reopen for tourism on October 15, 2023.

The post Similan Islands National Park attracts large number of tourists during Songkran festival appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

During a recent cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Transport presented guidelines proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to tackle the problem. The measures include increasing airline capacity by allowing more flights into Thailand, allowing airline slots that were provided before the pandemic, increasing ground-handling operators, and urging clients to plan their flights and arrive at the airport in advance to avoid complications.

The authorities will also revise certain rules to be more in line with the current situation and encourage competition. The CAAT has met with airline representatives and held workshops to gather complaints and suggestions from the public and private sectors to amend guidelines that offer fair prices for passengers. The CAAT has published fare rates for each semester on its website and conducted inspections to ensure that airlines do not raise ticket prices arbitrarily amid higher consumer demand.

According to reports from the Transport Ministry, domestic flight demand has significantly recovered, especially during the final half of 2022, which coincides with the peak travel season. Domestic passengers have surged by 85%, while international passengers have increased by 53.89%, leaving airlines struggling to meet the rising travel demand after downsizing their fleets during the pandemic.

The government’s efforts aim to maintain fairness for consumers by keeping flight fares reasonable and encouraging tourism and economic growth. The Thai authorities will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to address the issue.

The post Thai Government Takes Action to Address Expensive Airline Ticket Prices appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

It was predicted that around 300,000 international tourists would visit Thailand during the extended holiday period, accounting for approximately 60% of all visitors to the country during the same period in 2019. The TAT is optimistic about the future, estimating that the overall tourism revenue for 2023 will be around 2.38 trillion baht. This includes 1.5 trillion baht from up to 30 million international arrivals, while Thai tourists are expected to generate roughly 800 million baht.

The Economic and Business Forecast Centre of the Thai Chamber of Commerce University has also released a report on pre-pandemic consumer spending behavior during the 2019 Songkran celebrations. The report estimated that overall spending during that year’s Songkran festivities was approximately 135 billion baht. However, due to the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the TAT predicted that consumer spending for this year’s celebrations would be slightly lower, at an estimated 125 billion baht.

The Songkran festival is a significant event in Thailand and is celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm. The festival marks the Thai New Year and is a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and water fights. The festivities are spread over several days and involve various traditions, such as the pouring of water on Buddha images and the visiting of temples.

In conclusion, the Songkran festival is not only an important cultural event in Thailand but also a major source of revenue for the country’s tourism industry. The estimated 18.5 billion baht spent during the 2023 celebrations highlights the significance of the event in boosting the country’s economy. Despite the pandemic’s impact, the TAT remains optimistic about the future and expects the festival to continue to attract large numbers of domestic and international tourists in the years to come.

The post Songkran Celebrations in Thailand Generate 18.5 Billion Baht in Tourism Revenue appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

Since the China-Laos Railway’s cross-border passenger services began on Thursday, Thailand’s northeast province of Nong Khai has celebrated the Songkran festival with neighboring Laos across the Mekong River (13 Apr).

According to Jiranun Sakultangphaisal, an advisor to the Nong Khai tourism association, many tourists will spend the night in the Thai northeast province before traveling to the Laotian capital of Vientiane, which is about 20 kilometers away.

Monnipa Kovitsirikul, Chairperson of the Nong Khai Chamber of Commerce, expressed hope that Chinese tourists visiting Laos would travel further to tour Nong Khai and Thailand’s northeast region.

According to Monnipa, the operation of the China-Laos Railway has benefited many business sectors in Nong Khai by increasing employment and creating new opportunities for the local business community. She has also witnessed new investment from Thailand into Nong Khai, as well as increased efforts by the Thai government to upgrade local infrastructure.

The China-Laos Railway has also provided Thailand with a major transportation link to the vast Chinese market. Due to poor road conditions, goods transport between China, Laos, and Thailand used to take longer. The China-Laos Railway has reduced travel time to around 10 hours, making it easier to transport goods such as fruits that require quick delivery.

The China-Laos Railway, according to Jiranun, is also a road of friendship that brings Thailand, China, and Laos even closer together by increasing connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. She stated that more exchanges would lead to greater understanding, which would lead to increased cooperation.

The post China-Laos Railway boosts local tourism during Songkran festival as cross-border passenger services begin appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

According to the projections made by the ADB, headline inflation is anticipated to decline from 6.1% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023 and 2.3% in 2024. This is despite the fact that the Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri has ascribed the growth to the revival of the tourism sector and the consumption of the private sector.

Both the JCER and the Nikkei have identified the continuous recovery of the tourism sector as a crucial driver for Thailand’s expected growth. Both organizations predict that the country will see a growth rate of 3.7% in both 2023 and 2024.

In light of these encouraging assessments, Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced his conviction that the economy would continue to make progress toward full recovery. According to the statements made by Spokesperson Anucha, the evaluations have also been seen as a positive indicator for the confidence that international investors have in the economy of the country.

These evaluations, taken as a whole, point to the robustness and stability of Thailand’s economy, and they anticipate the country will experience positive growth in the years to come.

The post Thailand’s Economy Expected to Grow by 3.3% in 2023, Boosted by Tourism Sector Recovery appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

UTCC President Thanavath Phonvichai said that all indices continued to grow in March, reaching their highest levels in three years, suggesting that the economy is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Consumers showed the most willingness to spend on tourism, as the sector remains the country’s main driver of growth. Additionally, consumers were willing to spend on durable goods such as vehicles and real estate.

“Consumers in the middle- and high-income groups are more willing to spend and would further drive the economy,” Thanavath said during a news conference.

The resurgence of tourism has had a significant impact on the Thai economy, which saw a massive drop in revenue due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thai government has introduced several stimulus measures to help revive the economy and support businesses affected by the pandemic.

The post Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index Reaches 37-Month High in March, Boosted by Government Stimulus and Tourism Rebound appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

According to the website, Thailand is known for its stunning beaches, with Koh Kradan being a hidden gem that is easily accessible without venturing too far off the beaten track. The island, part of the Hat Chao Mai national park, is just a couple of hours south of Phuket and near Phi Phi Island. The website noted that Koh Kradan offers natural beauty and tranquillity, in contrast to the more crowded and noisy areas nearby.

The Prime Minister of Thailand, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressed his satisfaction with Thailand’s beaches being included in the ranking. He said that the popularity of marine tourism among foreign tourists reflects their confidence in Thai tourism attractions. He thanked public and private agencies in the tourism sector for expanding the popularity of these sites and supporting activities that are of interest to tourists. He also highlighted that each province presents its unique style, activities, cuisine, traditions, and culture, which contributes to tourism in Thailand.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting Thai tourism under the theme of “Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters,” with a focus on creating meaningful and memorable experiences for tourists.

The post Thailand’s Koh Kradan named Best Beach in the World, 5 Thai beaches in Top 100 list appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

The post Hua Hin Municipality Plans Festivities for Songkran Festival 2023 appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

Yuthasak Supasorn, the Governor of TAT, has stated that around 3.8 million trips are expected to be made by locals during the festival, along with 300,000 trips by foreign tourists.

One of the major events taking place this year is the Yen Tua La Maha Songkran event and the International Amazing Splash 2023 event, both being held in Bangkok’s Soi Chulalongkorn 5 from April 13th to 15th. Additionally, the TAT will host Water Festival 2023 events in various locations across the country from April 13th to 16th.

Numerous temples across Bangkok, including Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Wat Rakhang, will organize traditional activities for the Thai New Year, along with major events at Tha Maharaj, Iconsiam shopping mall, and Asiatique.

Various provinces in Thailand will also host their key events, such as the Old House of Chiang Mai, Ban Chiang World Heritage Cultural Square in Udon Thani, the Andamanda water park in Phuket, and a traditional Songkran event in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan, being held from April 21st to 23rd.

To boost confidence among domestic and international visitors, the TAT will be working closely with the Tourist Police Bureau to enforce safety measures throughout the entire festival.

The post Thailand’s Tourism Authority Plans Nationwide Songkran Celebrations, Anticipates 18 Billion Baht in Revenue appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), visa-exempt visitors will still have the option to extend their stay once for an additional 30 days if they go through immigration, allowing them to travel around the country for a maximum of 60 days. Alternatively, visa-exempt countries can obtain a 30-day extension by briefly leaving and re-entering the country, though land border crossings can only happen twice per calendar year.

While there are no official restrictions on entry by air, immigration officers have the discretion to refuse tourists entry and require them to obtain a formal visa from a Thai embassy beforehand. In addition, the visa-on-arrival period, which had been extended from 15 to 30 days, has now reverted back to 15 days for countries considered visas on arrival.

The TAT reportedly plans to approach the new government after the general election to potentially revise the visa program again to attract more tourists.

The post Thailand Reinstates 30-Day Visa Exemption Policy for Tourists from 60 Countries appeared first on Bangkok Local Info.