A Message from our Thailand office:
Warm greetings from Thailand,
We’re enjoying a busy period in Thailand at the moment, with travellers from Europe, USA and UK visiting destinations all around the country. We will receive our first charter from Poland on 5th November, and will support them on a 5-month adventure around the kingdom.
In local news that will be of interest to international travellers, Thailand has extended the suspension of its requirement to fill out the ‘To Mo 6’ (TM6) immigration form for foreign travellers entering and exiting Thailand at 16 land and sea checkpoints until 30 April 2025. The TM6 form is the arrival/departure card, which foreigners are required to fill out with their passport information and other personal information when entering or leaving Thailand. The form was permanently cancelled for foreign travellers arriving by air in July 2022.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is celebrating growing tourism ties between Kazakhstan and Thailand, with the arrival of the inaugural Air Astana Flight KC163, which touched down in Phuket on the morning of 27 October. The flight marks a new milestone in the thriving tourism relationship between Kazakhstan and Thailand.
This month, Thailand will celebrate the iconic Loy Krathong Festival in Central, North and Northeastern areas. If you have clients visiting in the weeks ahead who want to witness this unforgettable festival, here’s how you can advise them on when and where to go: Sukhothai (8-17 Nov), Tak (9-18 Nov), Korat (6-17 Nov), Nong Khai (15-16 Nov), Pattaya (15 Nov), Chiang Mai 14-16 Nov, Khon Kaen (13-15 Nov). For more information about festivals happening in Thailand this November, head over to the TAT website.
This month, Panorama Destination Thailand will be participating in WTM 2024 from 5-7 November in London. If you’re at the show, come find us inside the Thailand Pavilion at table no. 14. We’ll be happy to share some of our most popular products, including tours to Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong and Lantern Festival. Another of our recommended destinations for travel in November is Doi Inthanon; the highest point to Thailand, where hilltribes, cool temperatures and spectacular views of waterfalls and flower fields are the ideal setting for camping and hiking trips.
We’re now entering winter 2024, which is a long and joyful holiday season, stretching from November until the following March. There are many unmissable events in the calendar during this time, starting with Loy Krathong festival in November and followed by cultural, music, sport, food and countdown events with fireworks in December. Book your holiday with us, and we will show you the very best Thailand has to offer.
Warm regards,
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:
Thailand Wins ‘Destination of the Year’ at TTG Asia Travel Awards 2024
Thailand has once again won the prestigious ‘Destination of the Year’ title at the TTG Travel Awards 2024, adding to a trophy cabinet that is already brimming with numerous international awards and accolades the kingdom has been honoured with over the years.
Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), received the award on behalf of Thailand at the 33rd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2024 Ceremony and Gala Dinner held at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok.
(source: TAT)
New Tourism Tax for Air Passengers in 2024
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently announced its plan to impose a 300-baht tourism tax on international travellers entering the country by air, likely beginning in 2024. This fee is intended to support tourism initiatives, provide insurance for tourists, and aid infrastructure improvements across the country. Although the scheme was initially approved in early 2023 by Thailand’s previous administration led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the recent change in government means the proposal will require fresh approval from the current cabinet. Should the cabinet green-light the project, it will mark the beginning of a phased implementation process for air travellers, followed eventually by overland travellers in subsequent stages.
(source: Travel and Tour World)
Chiang Mai Named a Top City in Lonely Planet’s 2025 Best in Travel
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is proud to announce that Thailand has once again been honoured with prestigious accolades in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025. In its 15th edition, Best in Travel highlights 30 must-visit destinations for the coming year, with Chiang Mai named as a “Top City” in the list. In addition to Chiang Mai’s recognition, Thailand received accolades in three other categories: Tha Kha Floating Market in Samut Songkhram was recognised among the “Best Markets,” Trang’s Sunset Beach in Southern Thailand was listed among the “Best Beaches,” and Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife was celebrated for its “Best Drag Shows.”
(source: TAT)
Cambodia Endorses Thailand’s ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ Visa Initiative
Cambodia backs Thailand’s ambitious initiative to simplify cross-border travel for tourists through the proposed unified visa policy known as “6 Countries, 1 Destination”. This policy aims to establish Thailand as a central hub for regional tourism in Southeast Asia, attracting more tourists by easing entry requirements across multiple countries. The initiative, which seeks to unify the visa processes for six Southeast Asian countries—potentially including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia—was discussed during meetings between Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Thai representatives in Phnom Penh. The discussions were part of ongoing efforts to enhance tourism cooperation between the two nations.
(source: Travel and Tour World)
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