[ September 22, 2010 to September 26, 2010. ] More than 300 of the world’s top surfers are expected for the five-day Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 at Kata Beach, Phuket later this month. Renowned as the best surfing beach on the island province, the second annual Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition will comprise three divisions of competition – men’s open shortboard, women’s open shortboard, [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Malaysia’s Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, has called for greater collaboration between Thai and Malaysian tour operators to promote travel between the two countries. Dr. Ng said tour operators in Malaysia should collaborate more with their counterparts in southern Thailand to boost tourist traffic between Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia [...]

[ October 7, 2010 to October 16, 2010. ] THAILAND FESTIVALS AND EVENTS: Southern Thailand’s annual blood and gore event, aka the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, will be held between October 7 and 17th, with the highly photographed street possessions commencing on October 10. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival, to give it its traditional (translated) Chinese name, will get underway at 5pm on October 7 [...]

[ September 2, 2010 to September 5, 2010. ] With the huge success of the past event attracted over 300,000 guests, the 19th Discovery Thailand & Discovery World 2010 will be held again for rainy season from September 2 - 5, 2010 at Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok, expecting more than 500,000 guests. Visitors will have fun hopping on and off from over 1,250 [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Organizers of the annual Laguna Phuket International Marathon have raised a massive Bt328,000 (about $US10,525) from the largest field of competitors to enter the event since it began five years ago. Race director Roman Floesser said 4,665 people from 45 countries entered the event, which comprised a full marathon, a half marathon, a [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Plans by national flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) to form a low-cost carrier partnership with Singapore-based Tiger Airways have struck a hurdle, with Thailand’s Transport Ministry lodging an objection to the planed Thai Tiger Airlines (TTA) venture. On August 4 Thailand Travel News reported THAI had signed an in-principle agreement to purchase [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The political upheaval in Bangkok earlier in the year appears to have had little impact on people visiting the kingdom, with the seven month period to date indicating Thailand might welcome 15 million foreign visitors by years end. According to Thanittha Maneechote, deputy permanent secretary for Tourism and Sports, the number of foreign [...]

Airports of Thailand gains government approval to expand Bangkok International Airport to handle 60 million passengers per year. THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: In a case of better late than never the Thai government has approved a Bt62.5 billion (about $US1.982 billion) upgrade for Bangkok International Airport aimed at increasing passenger capacity from the current 45 million a [...]

Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Wang Tao stream in Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province are to receive some amenities making it more friendly as a eco-tourism destination THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has earmarked Bt14 million (about $US447,000) to turn Kaeng Wang Tao stream in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The deputy director of Phuket’s Public Health Department, Dr. Wiwat Keetamanoch, has reacted angrily to reports in a local publication claiming seven people had died in one week on the island province from Dengue Fever. Dr. Wiwat said, “we have had no deaths at all from dengue on Phuket this year. This report [...]

Tourists are asked to reject paying to have photos taken with animals such as the slow loris if asked to do so by touts on the streets of Thailand’s tourist areas. THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: For a holiday experience with a difference travelers with an affection for endangered or neglected and abused animals might like to spend [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The days of 1am closing for Phuket’s bars and nightclubs could be coming to an end if an attempt by Phuket governor Wichai Praisa-ngob comes to fruition. In response to continued complaints by entertainment venue operators, Mr. Wichai has expressed the view that Phuket – or at least parts of it – should [...]

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Aircraft watchers in Thailand will soon start seeing more of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, with Emirates set to launch a daily Dubai – Bangkok – Hong Kong service using the world’s largest passenger aircraft commencing October 1. Emirates, the national flag carrier of Dubai, UAE, currently operates 12 A380s with 78 on order [...]

Samphanbok - Thailand Grand Cayon Many tourists might have heard about the Grand Canyon in Arizona, but there is also one in Thailand. In the northeast of Thailand, there is another beautiful unseen natural wonder called, Sam Phan Bok, or Grand Canyon of Thailand. Located in Pho Sai district, Ubon Ratchathani, Sam Phan Bok is a [...]

[ November 28, 2010; ] The 17th annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon is Asia’s premier destination triathlon featuring a unique 1.8km (about 1.12-mile) two-stage swim, a 55km (34.18-mile) bike ride, and a 12km (7.46-mile) run through spectacular tropical scenery. Over the past sixteen years the Phuket Triathlon has attracted some the world’s best professional triathletes, earning it the tag The Race of [...]

[ September 11, 2010; ] The third annual Phuket Lifeguard Club Carnival will be held on September 11, with a wide range of events guaranteed to keep everyone interested and entertained. Organized to promote water safety, the carnival this year aims to target children, in the hopes of boosting lifesaving skills on the island, and improving swimming skills in the youth [...]

[ December 5, 2010; ] The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship will be held at the magnificent Laguna Phuket on December 5, with about 1,000 athletes expected to be competing for a professional prize-money purse of $US60,000 (Bt1.891 million). Commonly referred to as a Half Marathon, the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship will comprise a 1.9km (1.2-mile) two-stage swim, a [...]

[ August 26, 2010 to August 28, 2010. ] THAILAND FESTIVALS AND EVENTS: Phuket’s Chinese community has began making preparations for this years. The Chinese community in Phuket will celebrate the annual Hungry Ghost (Por Tor) Festival, on August 26, 27, and 28. Observed by Chinese and many other Southeast Asian nations on the first day of the waxing moon in the seventh Chinese calendar month, [...]

[ November 28, 2010; ] THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The 17th annual Phuket Triathlon will get underway at 7am on November 28, kicking off eight-days of grueling endurance events that local officials and the Phuket tourism industry hope will help the island province develop a reputation for being a mecca for professional and amateur triathletes worldwide. Known as The Race of Legends [...]