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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40017911

Pakakeryor villagers in the shadow of Thailand’s highest mountain began planting rice seedlings in their iconic stepped terraces on Tuesday. The Karen ethnic people of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai are looking forward to a bumper crop – of both rice and tourists.

For the inhabitants of Ban Pa Pong Piang, the start of the farming season also means the start of the tourism season, as their village in Tambon Chang Kherng, Mae Chaem district, sits among the world-famous rice terraces that cling to the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park.

Each year, the Pakakeryor villagers plant their rice in this cascading mosaic, surrounded by fertile green forest. Rising above them is the popular tourist destination of Doi Inthanon, offering rare and spectacular scenic views for visitors, especially when the terraces gleam with lush green rice plants or golden rice flowers.

This year, Pa Pong Piang villagers started replanting their seedlings on the 100-rai of mountainside on Tuesday, having sowed the rice seeds late last month.

No outsiders are hired to do the work, as villagers join forces to ensure the crop yields just enough for their own consumption. They make money not from the rice, but from tourism.

Kanya Sutannamthip, a resident of the village, said the tourism season here starts as soon as the first rice is sown. Visitors begin arriving to marvel at the result in July and the high season lasts until December.

Tourists lucky enough to arrive in July witness a shimmering mosaic of gold and green as early-season paddies catch the sun’s reflection. Visit from August to October and lush fields carpet the mountain like a giant green staircase, with white mist hovering in the mornings. The fields turn golden in November before the harvest season, Kanya added.

Her neighbour Wichai Sanga-ngam said Ban Pa Pong Piang has many huts nestled among the rice terraces that serve as homestay accommodation for tourists.

The wooden shacks have no electricity or water heaters. Tourists are provided only beds and blankets for a true experience of Pakakeryor life.

Wichai said each homestay offers a unique view of the terraces and each tourist is charged the same price – Bt700 per night with dinner and breakfast – no matter which homestay they choose.

Currently, Ban Pa Pong Paing can be accessed by two routes: over Doi Inthanon or via the Chiang Mai-Mae Chaem road.

Published : July 19, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40017426

Bangkok has been named number one in the list of “Best Cities in Southeast Asia” while Phuket was ranked first for “Best Islands in Southeast Asia” by a top international travel magazine.

In ranking Bangkok number one for 2022, Travel + Leisure magazine said:

“If warm smiles, spicy street food and a feeling of wind in your hair as you glide through the city on a motorbike or tuk-tuk are appealing, Bangkok certainly hits the mark.

“If you prefer high-thread-count linen in your private pool suites and Michelin-starred meals, the city also has you covered. Whether you’re just spending a night en route to the islands, using Bangkok as a hub for further exploration of Southeast Asia, or visiting on what we advocate should be a dedicated vacation in its own right, there is no shortage of options.”

According to Travel + Leisure, the top ten Best Cities in Southeast Asia are:

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Singapore
3. Da Nang, Vietnam
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Hanoi, Vietnam
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
7. Hong Kong
8. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
9. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
10. Jakarta, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, in naming Phuket number one in its list of Best Islands in Southeast Asia, the magazine said:

“In addition to the postcard sandy stretches and the buzz of Patong, Phuket is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods – do you want Uber luxury, beach club party vibe, a local hipster or family friendly island, or yoga and detox?

“There are plenty of unique accommodations, outdoor activities and attractions to explore on Thailand’s largest island.

“And wow, is Phuket Town coming into its own; take a day’s break from the beach for photogenic Sino-Portuguese architecture and a thriving food and bev scene.”

According to the magazine, these are the top ten Best Islands in Southeast Asia:

1. Phuket, Thailand
2. Koh Samui, Thailand
3. Bali, Indonesia
4. Phu Quoc, Vietnam
5. Langkawi, Malaysia
6. Lombok, Indonesia
7. Palawan, the Philippines
8. Penang, Malaysia
9. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
10. Con Dao, Vietnam.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40017343

Bangkok topped Travel + Leisure’s list of Best Cities in Southeast Asia in 2022, while Phuket and Koh Samui came in first and second on its list of Best Islands.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was overjoyed that Thailand remains a favourite destination for travellers.

The results were announced by the magazine in its inaugural “Asia’s Best Awards”.

Also included in the list of best cities was Chiang Mai at No 6, while Koh Phi Phi came in as the 9th best island in the region.

Travel + Leisure said its readers chose Bangkok for its warm smiles and spicy street food.

“If warm smiles, spicy street food, and feeling the wind in your hair as you glide through the city on a motorbike or tuk-tuk are appealing, Bangkok certainly hits the mark. If you prefer high-thread-count linen in your private-pool suites and Michelin-starred meals, the city also has you covered. Whether you’re just spending a night en route to the islands, using Bangkok as a hub for further exploration of Southeast Asia, or visiting for what we advocate should be a dedicated vacation in its own right, there is no shortage of options,” Travel + Leisure said.

The magazine cited “sandy stretches of postcards” and the buzz of Patong as the reasons why Phuket won the top place in best islands.

“In addition to the sandy stretches of postcards and the buzz of Patong, Phuket is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods – do you want uber-luxury, beach club party vibe, local hipster, family-friendly, or yoga and detox? There is plenty of unique accommodation, outdoor activities, and attractions to explore on Thailand’s largest island. And wow, is Phuket Town coming into its own; take a day’s break from the beach for photogenic Sino-Portuguese architecture, and a thriving food and bev scene,” Travel + Leisure said.

Readers voted on several categories including their favourite hotels, resorts, restaurants, and bars throughout the Southeast Asian region, with various “best of” lists for Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The spokesman noted that Travel + Leisure cited Thailand’s “sandbox policy” during the height of the Covid pandemic as a boon to the tourism industry. All travel restrictions in Thailand were lifted on July 1.

Thanakorn said Phuket also catered to the needs of all types of tourists, including those who like partying on the beach at night, families, and tourists who come from health services.

Hollywood actor Russell Crowe also created a much-needed buzz for Thai tourism while he was in Phuket late last year.

“The prime minister is delighted that tourists around the world still like to visit Thailand and that destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui, can still impress and provide memorable experiences for them,” Thanakorn said.

He also quoted Prayut as thanking all state agencies concerned for successfully implementing tourism policies and Thais for acting as good hosts.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40017266

Some 5,000 tourists crossed from Malaysia to Thailand via the Sadao checkpoint on Friday, as border traffic surged fivefold after the Thailand Pass system was scrapped.

Thousands of mostly Malaysian tourists entered Thailand via Sadao in buses, vans and personal cars after Covid insurance and testing requirements were lifted from July 1. The border crossing had been averaging 1,000-1,500 arrivals per day before Friday.

Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association president Sitthiphong Sitthiphatprapha said he was confident there would be no major problems as Malaysian and Singaporean tourists return following the cancellation of the Thailand Pass.

He said local hoteliers expect to see 150,000 tourists from Malaysia in July after 5,000 arrived on the first day.

Sitthiphong added that most visitors were keen to sample the local cuisine and sights of Songkhla, so operators are confident that tourism destinations in the province will be lively this weekend.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40017002

Thailand received almost two million foreign tourists in the first half of 2022, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The country saw a total of 1,913,553 foreign visitors from January 1 to June 22, said Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya, TAT’s deputy governor for marketing in Europe, Africa, Mideast, and the Americas.

The Indian market provided the largest number of tourist arrivals during the period with 204,427, followed by Malaysia (167,524), UK (117,669), Singapore (114,161) and the US (97,792).

Suvarnabhumi Airport topped the list of entry points with 1,158,099 tourists, followed by Phuket Airport (457,164), Don Muang Airport (82,284), the Sadao-Malaysia checkpoint (50,425) and the Nong Kai-Laos checkpoint (26,019).

Arrivals are expected to surge from next Friday (July 1), when Thailand Pass and insurance requirements will be scrapped for foreign tourists.

Lifting the Covid-19 travel restrictions will help the TAT achieve its goal of 10 million tourist arrivals this year, Chattan said.

It was also in line with the Cabinet’s decision to extend the “Visit Thailand Year” promotion campaign for quarantine-free travel for another year, he added.

Published : June 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40016589

Thailand will have to accelerate tourist arrivals in the fourth quarter, the annual high season, to reach the goal of 7-10 million in 2022, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has said.

Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya, TAT’s deputy governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas, said recently that TAT has set a target to welcome 4 million tourists this year from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The TAT expected Thailand to welcome 3.25 million tourists from these regions if conditions are met, such as the number of direct flights and convenient entry regulations.

The TAT estimated the expense per person will be around THB75,000 to THB80,000 and generate a total revenue of THB240 billion to THB260 billion for Thailand.

If Russian tourists could fly directly to Thailand, the number of tourists from these regions will increase to 3.75 million and generate a total revenue of THB300 billion.

The TAT sees Saudi Arabia as a rising market. It expects to welcome 100,000 Saudi tourists in 2022 to generate THB7 billion for Thailand, or THB70,000 per person.

The TAT forecast that Thailand will welcome 400,000 tourists from the Middle East in 2022, to generate THB28 billion for the country.

Meanwhile, Thailand is expected to welcome 750,000 tourists from the Americas, generating THB52.5 billion, or THB70,000 per person.

Thailand welcomed 39 million tourists in 2019, generating THB1.9 trillion.

At least 7.6 million of them came from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and they stayed in Thailand for 14 days on average. Meanwhile, 1.55 million of them came from the Americas and they stayed for 14.46 days on average.
 

Published : June 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40016441

Thai and foreign tourists are seen gathering at a popular scenic point near Mai Khao Beach at the end of the Phuket International Airport runway in Thalang district to share in the delightful experience of snapping photos of planes taking to the skies.

Although Sirinat National Park announced temporary closure of the beach from June 1-30 due to the monsoon season and for environmental rehabilitation, authorities still allow tourists to have fun taking photographs or shooting video near the runway provided they do not enter the beach.

One of the tourists said he did not want to miss the chance of clicking a photo of a plane taking off now that Covid-19 restrictions on international travel have been lifted and more planes are allowed to land and take off from the airport.

Mai Khao Beach is the longest beach in Phuket located on the northwestern side of the island. It is also typically known as Airport Beach or Sanambin Beach (the Thai word for “airport”) as it is located next to Phuket International Airport.

The 11-km-long beach, part of Sirinat National Park, is famous among local and foreign tourists for its white sand and unique spectacle of observing planes up close as they take off into the blue.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40016384

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has issued the new price structure for national parks, which comes into effect today.

Entry remains free for Thais in the following categories: seniors aged over 60, children under 3, disabled people, and monks.

Category 1 national parks:

• Thai children – 10 baht
• Thai adults – 20 baht
• Foreign children – 50 baht
• Foreign adults – 100 baht

Category 1 covers 67 national parks including Khao Kho in Phetchabun, Doi Suthep-Pui in Chiang Mai, and Khao Lak-Lam Ru in Phang-nga.

Category 2 parks:

• Thai children – 20 baht
• Thai adults – 40 baht
• Foreign children – 100 baht
• Foreign adults – 200 baht

Category 2 covers 55 national parks including Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kui Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Khao Khitchakut in Chanthaburi, Khao Phra Wihan in Si Sa Ket, and Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani.

Category 3 parks:

• Thai children – 30 baht
• Thai adults – 60 baht
• Foreign children – 150 baht
• Foreign adults – 300 baht

Category 3 comprises nine parks including Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi, Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai, Sai Yok in Kanchanaburi, Than Bok Khorani in Krabi, and Ao Phang Nga National Park in Phang-nga.

Category 4 parks:

• Thai children – 50 baht
• Thai adults – 100 baht
• Foreign children – 250 baht
• Foreign adults – 500 baht

Category 4 covers Mu Koh Similan National Park and Mu Koh Surin National Park in Phang-nga.

Additional fees apply for vehicles:

• Motorcycle – 20 baht
• Four-wheel vehicle – 30 baht
• Six-wheeler – 100 baht
• More than six wheels but less than 10 wheels – 200 baht
• Helicopter – 2,500 baht

Updates and information on parks are available at https://www.facebook.com/NationalPark.Interpretation.

Published : June 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40016219

About 1.3 million foreign tourists visited Thailand in the first five months of 2022, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn reported that most visitors came from India – 123,606 – followed by the UK with 96,323, Malaysia 78,523, Germany 77,707 and the US 72,482.

Most – 825,918 – entered via Suvarnabhumi Airport, 378,786 through Phuket International Airport, 41,043 via Don Mueang International Airport, 19,962 through the Sadao Border Checkpoint and 12,783 via the Nong Khai Border Checkpoint.

Yuthasak said 532,177 tourists entered Thailand in May after the Test & Go scheme was scrapped, exceeding the target of 500,000.

If 500,000 tourists enter Thailand in the four remaining months of the low season (June to September), the number of visitors would total around 3 million for the nine months of the year, the TAT governor said.

Moreover, he said, it is highly possible to reach Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn’s goal of 7 to 10 million travellers in the whole of 2022 if more than 1 million tourists visit the country per month from October to December.

Yuthasak also expected more than 3.25 million travellers from Europe and the Middle East this year, especially the hoped-for 1 million visitors from Russia, generating THB260 billion in income for Thailand.

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT’s deputy governor for International Marketing in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the government’s decision to further ease entry for international arrivals from Tuesday is a highly positive factor for foreign tourists.

It would now be easier for Thailand to compete with foreign nations, he maintained.

Countries around the world are reopening in a bid to lure foreign tourists, Chattan said. Therefore, it is currently a travellers’ market.

He advised TAT and Thai tour operators to improve travel experiences and service quality.

Meanwhile, tourists in Europe are starting to reserve tickets for the high season, especially in coastal provinces, Chattan added.

Published : June 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-destination/40016206

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi celebrated its 44th anniversary on Wednesday while delightfully introducing a new member, a baby male tapir, which was born on May 15.

The little tapir is being taken care of closely by veterinarians, zoo staff and, of course, his watchful mother. The zoo said the baby is in “perfect” condition and “strong”.

The tapir is on the list of reserved wild animals in Thailand under the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act BE 2562 (2019).

Published : June 02, 2022

By : THE NATION