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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020794

Bangkok and Thailand ranked among top 10 destinations by travel magazine readers

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2022

Bangkok has been voted second among the world’s “best big cities”, while Thailand was third among “top countries in the world” in the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice survey.

The US-based travel magazine conducted the survey on “nearly a quarter of a million” people for its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which is in its 35th year.

Bangkok came second among the world’s “best big cities”, after Singapore.

“Consistently ranked as one of the most-visited cities in the world, Bangkok has a multifaceted identity that blends history, culture, street style, and luxury like nowhere else,” the magazine said in its article published on Tuesday.

The top 10 “Best Big Cities” are: 1. Singapore, 2. Bangkok, 3. Tokyo, 4. Mérida (Mexico), 5. Quebec City (Canada), 6. Cape Town (South Africa), 7. Mumbai, 8. Cusco (Peru), 9. Istanbul, 10. Montreal.

Meanwhile, Thailand came third among the 48 “best countries in the world” as voted by Traveler readers.

Europe dominated this year’s list of Reader’s Choice Awards winners for the world’s best countries to travel to, Portugal topping the list with the highest score of 91.22.

Japan was second, with 91.17 points, followed by Thailand (90.46), Singapore (90.09), India (90.01), Greece (89.79), Denmark (89.62), United Kingdom (89.12), Italy (89.12), and New Zealand (89.01).

Three Thai islands are among the best in Asia as voted by Traveler readers — Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Phuket, and Phi Phi Islands.

Boracay in the Philippines tops the list with 95.13 points, followed by Bali, Indonesia (93.9 points), Koh Samui (92.13), Langkawi in Malaysia (90.97), Phuket (90.88), Phú Quốc in Vietnam (89.77), Sri Lanka (89.17), Palawan in the Philippines (88.99), Okinawa and Ryuku Islands in Japan (83), and Phi Phi Islands (76.41).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020734

Seventeen national parks close waterfalls, other attractions amid floods

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2022

THE NATION

A host of tourist destinations at 17 national parks across the country are closing temporarily due to flash floods from storm Noru.

The National Parks of Thailand released a list of the 17 on Facebook:

• Mae Keong Luang waterfall in Wiang Kosai National Park
• Tat Mok and Song Nang waterfalls and the Huaibong service area in Tat Mok National Park
• Doi Kham Fah in Pha Daeng National Park
• Tourists sites and accomodations in Khuean Srinagarindra National Park
• Tourists sites and accomodations in Na Yung Nam Som National Park
• Hin Samchan, Huay Toei, and Huay Pai waterfalls in Phu Ruea National Park
• Mae Sa and Mok Fa waterfalls in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
• Tha Pai Hot Spring in Huai Nam Dang National Park
• Man Dang waterfall in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
• Tham Than Lot Yai and Tham Than Lot Noi in Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park
• Nab Daw campground and Huai Khe waterfall in Nam Phong National Park
• Laem Samran campground in Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
• Accommodations in Sai Yok National Park
• Water activities in Khao Yai National Park
• Water activities in Ta Phraya National Park
• Water activities in Pang Sida National Park
• Water activities in Thap Lan National Park.

The office urged visitors to check official updates at https://bit.ly/3EjjQRQ.

The Thai Meteorological Department said it expected less rain over the upper North and upper Northeast while isolated heavy rain is expected in the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South from today, Wednesday, to Saturday.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020689

Thai tourism targets high-spending travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022

THE NATION

Thai tourism is targeting emerging markets in central Asia as a growing source of much-needed tourist dollars.

Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have shown increasing interest in visiting Thailand since the Visa on Arrival was extended from 15 to 30 days on October 1.

On October 30, Air Astana will launch direct daily flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Bangkok and Phuket, expanding from the current three flights per week. Meanwhile, Sunday Airlines will also add new flights this winter from major Kazakh cities such as Almaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent and Uralsk to Phuket and U-Tapao.

“Kazakh airlines and tour companies said last month they would like to see Thailand scrap all visa requirements and fees for Kazakhstan tourists this year so they can promote Thailand during the high season,” Phiphat said.

In 2019, before the pandemic, Thailand received about 56,000 tourists from Kazakhstan, generating about 3.46 billion baht in tourism revenue.

The first nine months of 2022 saw around 22,000 arrivals from Kazakhstan. The ministry estimates that figure will reach 55,000 by year-end, almost returning to pre-Covid levels.

Phiphat said Uzbekistan tourists also have high spending power and qualify for the Visa on Arrival, but there are currently no direct flights from the country to Thailand. National carrier Uzbekistan Airways is preparing to resume international flights after being grounded during the pandemic, he added.

Currently, Uzbekistan tourists wishing to visit Thailand have to catch a flight from Tashkent or Samarkand to Almaty, Istanbul, Dubai, or the UAE and grab a connecting flight to Thailand.

Over 19,000 Uzbekistan tourists visited Thailand in 2019. The first eight months of 2022 saw 2,496 arrivals from Uzbekistan, with a total of 8,500 expected this year.

The ministry has reduced its tourism revenue target for this year from 1.5 trillion baht to 1.28 trillion baht after lower-than-expected bookings. Next year, it expects revenue of 2.4 trillion baht from an estimated 20 million foreign visitors and 160 million trips made by Thais.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020670

Days of heavy rain make Sri Nakarin Dam National Park too dangerous for tourists

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

The Sri Nakarin Dam National Park was closed to tourists on Monday after days of heavy rain brought flash floods and runoffs near a waterfall and several parts of the park.

Park authorities announced that the area would be closed to public access until the situation eases. The heavy rain, unleashed by the influence of tropical storm Noru and the monsoon ridge, has been hitting the area for several days now.

Park chief Chaiwut Areechon said days of heavy rain had caused runoffs around the seven-layered Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall, which could put tourists in danger, which is why he signed an order closing access to the park for now.

Those who have booked accommodation or camping spacing can ask for refunds, he said.

The Sri Nakarin Dam National Park is located north of the Erawan National Park, which straddles Kanchanaburi’s Sai Yok, Sri Sawat and Thong Pha Phum districts. The park is named after the Sri Nakarin Dam which holds the reservoir to the east of the park.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020628

Setting sun to pierce 15 gateways at Buri Ram temple in rare event next week

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

Buri Ram’s famous antique temple, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, will be lit up by the rays of the setting sun on three days next week for the last time this year.

The phenomenon of bright rays shining out of the temple’s 15 doorways can be witnessed from 5.55pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The local office of the Fine Arts Department said the temple complex will be closed half an hour later at 6.30pm on the three days.

It said visitors should be able to witness the natural phenomenon provided it doesn’t rain and there are no clouds blocking the sun.

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung in Buri Ram’s Chalerm Phrakiat district is a majestic Khmer temple believed to have been built between the 10th and 13th centuries to worship the Hindu god, Shiva.

The temple complex, often referred to as Thailand’s very own Angkor Wat, sits on the edge of an extinct volcano some 400 metres above the sea.

A similar phenomenon was witnessed at the temple last month, when the sun aligned perfectly to shine its rays through the 15 doorways while rising at 5.45am on September 9, 10 and 11. However, low clouds dimmed the spectacle.

The astronomical phenomenon takes place four times a year. The sun aligns perfectly during sunrise in April and September and during sunset in March and October.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020610

Lifting of all Covid-19 regulations will help Thailand’s tourism industry recover quickly: Marisa

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

THE NATION

The tourism industry began picking up when the Thailand Pass was scrapped on June 1 and is expected to surge ahead now that all restrictions have been lifted.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said recently that room bookings have already improved from 48 per cent to nearly 55 per cent. Meanwhile some hotels – especially five-star properties in the city centre – are boasting of more than 80 per cent occupancy.

However, the occupancy rate for hotels below 3 stars has still not improved, she said.

The hotelier also said that since airlines are scheduling more flights to Thailand for the cool season, it should be easy to achieve the target of 10 million tourists this year. Thailand has already welcomed some 6 million tourists over the past nine months.

Nearly 600,000 international flights are scheduled to land in Thailand each week during the cool season, up from just over 300,000 flights per week during the hot season, she said.

Hence, she added, it will be reasonable to expect up to 1.5 million arrivals per month in the last quarter.

The opening up of several countries, such as Japan and South Korea, will also contribute to the increase in arrivals, she added.

Marisa added that the scrapping of Covid-19 rules from October 1 will also attract more tourists from Europe, Scandinavia and Russia during the high season. The reason for this is more flights and easing of restrictions on face masks.

The target of 10 million foreign tourists is still low compared to the arrivals in 2019, which stood at around 40 million tourists and an occupancy rate of around 70 per cent.

Hotel occupancy dropped to 30 per cent after the arrival of Covid-19 in March 2020 and further to 3 per cent the following year due to lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said the tourism industry first started showing signs of recovery when the Phuket Sandbox was introduced on July 1, 2021.

He added that the industry should be able to easily generate 1.28 trillion baht in revenue this year, especially if the country can welcome some 1.5 million tourists every month in the fourth quarter and if domestic travellers rise to 160 million.

He also speculated that China’s President Xi Jinping will possibly lift his zero-Covid policy once he is re-elected as leader of the Communist Party on October 20.

The minister also pointed out that since Xi is arriving in November to attend the Apec summit, he may allow other Chinese citizens to start travelling abroad from December.

If China allows citizens to travel overseas, then Phiphat reckons at least 1.5 million arrivals will come from the mainland alone. This will bump this year’s total arrivals to 11.5 million he added.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020574

AOT earmarks nearly THB16 billion to upgrade Chiang Mai airport, double its capacity

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

THE NATION

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is speeding up the upgradation of Chiang Mai Airport with a budget of 15.8 billion baht for the first phase.

Kerati Kijmanawat, AOT’s senior executive vice president of engineering and construction, said that AOT has found the number of passengers in the passenger terminal is exceeding its capacity so it had decided to develop the airport.

He said that the project would be studied and designed with a budget of 280 million baht for the consulting firm.

AOT is expected to hire the consulting firm in October and work will start in April 2023. He expected it to be finished by March 2024.

AOT is also undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment, which is expected to finish in February 2023.

He said the project is being reviewed by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council and would be sent to the Cabinet for approval within October 2023.

Kerati said that the bidding and construction process will start in 2024 and the renovated airport will open in 2026.

He said the number of domestic passengers in 2019 was 8.1 million per year, far exceeding the 6 million capacity.

The number of international passengers in 2019 was 3.2 million per year, far exceeding the 2 million capacity.

After the first phase is finished, he expected that the airport would be able to welcome 16.5 million passengers per year, double the previous capacity of 8 million passengers per year.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the project is undergoing preliminary feasibility study to improve the passenger terminal, expand the airport apron, and expand the internal road system.

After the second phase of the project is finished, the airport will be able to receive 12 million domestic passengers and 8 million international passengers per year.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020486

Cabinet to be asked in Oct to consider charging foreign tourists an entry fee

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

THE NATION

The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Cabinet next month to consider charging international tourists a fee to enter the country, the tourism minister said.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday that a study on charging foreign tourists an entry fee would be carried out in a few days, after which the Cabinet would be asked to approve the move.

He said foreign visitors arriving by air would be charged 300 baht, while the fee for those entering by land, sea or rail might vary between 100 and 200 baht.

“It is expected the study will be done in three or four days from today [Tuesday],” Phiphat said. “Then, the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet in October. We have to make preparations in advance. If the Cabinet approves the rates, we’ll start collecting the fees soon.”

He said the foreign tourist fee collection had to be carried out in accordance with the National Tourism Policy Act of 2019 and the fees would be used to develop tourism and pay insurance for international visitors.

“It’s crucial for the ministry to collect the entry fees because the government does not allocate a budget for taking care of foreign tourists. When they are killed or injured in accidents, we need money to pay compensation,” Phiphat pointed out.

“If everything goes smoothly, the fee collection should begin early next year.”

Phiphat said the ministry has had the Tourism and Sports permanent secretariat sign a memorandum of understanding with Krung Thai Bank to link the payment system of the bank to the secretariat’s system for collecting the entry fees.

This would make it convenient for tourists to pay the fee, the minister said.

Foreign visitors could pay via websites, applications, kiosks or when purchasing air tickets, he said.

Also, the data on entry payments would be used to develop the tourism industry, Phiphat added.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020473

Nok Air scraps Korat-Chiang Mai route in blow to Northeast province

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

THE NATION

Nok Air has scrapped its Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai route less than two months after launching the service, which proved to be commercially unviable.

The final flight took off from Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) airport at 7am on Tuesday with just 10 passengers on board.

Closure of the route comes after Nakhon Ratchasima’s governor called a September 16 meeting with Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool but failed to persuade him to continue the service.

The low-cost carrier launched its first flight between Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai on August 2, using 86-seater Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop planes.

However, the service fell short of its target for commercial viability, with some flights carrying just nine passengers.

Nok Air initially told Nakhon Ratchasima provincial administration that it was suspending the service in October for maintenance work, but it quickly became obvious that the route was being scrapped.

Governor Wichian Janthornnothai now wants other Nok Air services to detour to Korat, including the Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight.

Nok is the 10th airline that has tried and failed to make the Korat-Chiang Mai route commercially viable, following efforts by Thai Airways, Air Andaman, AirAsia, Air Phoenix, Happy Air and others.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020393

Doi Inthanon waterfall closed as storm hits Thailand’s highest mountain

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

THE NATION

Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai closed its famed Mae Klang waterfall on Sunday after heavy rain caused flooding at the cascade.

Park authorities posted clips of the waterfall in Chom Thong district overflowing with a torrent of reddish water, flooding shops in the tourist hub at the foot of Thailand’s highest mountain. Officials said some shops had suffered extensive flood damage.

The park reported that 21 millimetres of rain fell overnight at the summit of Doi Inthanon, 17mm at Kiew Mae Pan viewpoint, and 32mm at the top of Mae Klang Waterfall.

On Saturday night, rainfall was measured at 40mm at Doi Inthanon’s summit, 60mm at the top of the waterfall and 29mm at the park office. Meanwhile, residents of Khun Khun Klang village took emergency action after 50mm of rain fell at the kilometre 31 marker on Doi Inthanon. Runoff from the deluge caused the Mae Klang canal to swell, prompting villagers to move their possessions upstairs.

Doi Inthanon, known as the roof of Thailand, stands 2,565 metres above sea level and is a popular tourist destination.

THE NATION