A Message from our Thailand office:
Hello from Bangkok, Thailand!
March is the beginning of the summer season in Thailand, and the weather is getting warmer in most parts of the country. Visitors at this time can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities and visit a few unseen islands off the beaten track. This includes places like Similan and Surin – unique locations that are only open to tourists from now until mid-May. Now is the best time to visit Thailand, before the rainy season arrives in July.
As we get ready for a busy summer season, there’s lots of news to share and some interesting new developments to report from the Land of Smiles. Let’s get started.
First of all, there’s some good news to share for American travellers in Thailand. U.S. Passport Holders no longer need to get a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be allowed to stay in Thailand for a period of up to 30 days on each visit (or 15-day stays if arriving by land-crossing). For all the latest details, you can go direct to the Thai Consulate.
In addition, China and Thailand have officially agreed to implement a visa-free entry policy for their citizens, allowing stays of up to 30 days. Starting from 1 March 2024, individuals holding ordinary passports and travelling for tourism, family visits, or business purposes will benefit from this new agreement. The agreement, signed in Bangkong, replaces Thailand’s temporary visa waiver for Chinese travellers, which expired on 29 February. You can read more about this latest policy here.
The good news doesn’t end there. In March, Pattaya plays host to a seaside festival that will be music to the ears of travellers with a taste for good tunes and laidback beach vibes. Pattaya Music Festival 2024 will feature more than 50 leading artists, and will be held every Friday and Saturday throughout March, beginning on 8 March. Admission is free, with the gigs getting started from 5pm onwards.
Speaking of unmissable shows with a star-studded line-up, Panorama Destination Thailand is set to make an appearance at this year’s ITB Berlin, held at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 5-7 March 2024. If you’re joining the event too, please stop by at the Panorama Destination booth, where we’ll be able to share some of our greatest hits with you. This includes packages to Khao Lak, Similan Island and Surin Island (open now until 15 May).
In more good news from the Bangkok office, we’ve just been certified as an official Travelife partner for the 2024-2025 period. Given our ongoing dedication to sustainable and eco-friendly travel, this partnership is both an indication of our commitments and a blueprint for enacting them in our daily operations. We look forward to another fruitful year of collaboration and ethical tourism development together.
If you have any questions or special requests, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to discuss your clients’ requirements and create holiday memories for them that are truly timeless.
Pat Pattaranan Sappattarabune
General Manager, Panorama Destination Thailand.
Destination digest: Thailand news in brief
A selection of bitesize stories and positive developments making the news in the Land of Smiles recently:
Tourists need to pay 300 baht to enter Thailand
Individuals seeking entry into Thailand are now required to carry a minimum of 300 baht (US$300) in cash. Non-compliance with this regulation could lead to a breach of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), granting immigration officers the authority to deny entry to tourists who fail to meet this cash threshold. While this rule is universally applicable to all tourists, its enforcement will be selective, relying on random checks by immigration officials. Nonetheless, tourists are strongly advised to adhere to this policy to guarantee their admittance into Thailand.
(source: Travel and Tour World)
‘Amazing Thailand’ promotions focus on Kazakhstan
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and strategic partners in the public and private sectors, showcased Thailand’s tourism offerings and soft powers through the “Friends of Thailand Networking Day” and “Amazing Thailand: A Glimpse of the Land of Smiles” exclusive events, held today (25/2) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. TAT also worked in conjunction with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) on both special occasions.
(source: Pattaya Mail)
TAT launches new campaign to promote smaller cities
The campaign, which runs from 2 to 5 April, will complement the government’s policy of promoting tourism in second-tier provinces and making Thailand a global tourism hub, Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol said. She said she hoped international airlines would see the true potential of Thailand’s airports in the post-pandemic era and consider opening more routes to Thailand covering both first- and second-tier provinces.
(source: Nation Thailand)
New medical cover available for tourists in Thailand
Thailand has introduced a new scheme for foreign tourists that provides initial assistance and covers medical expenses up to 500,000 baht (US$ 13,875) in case of accidents, crimes and other emergencies, enhancing their safety and security while also bolstering the tourism sector. Running from 1 January to 31 August, the Thailand Traveller Safety (TTS) scheme seeks to reassure foreign tourists of their safety while visiting Thailand.
(source: Bernama)
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