Hug Thailand

04/09/2026

Thailand Visa Update: From 15 September 2026, travellers previously covered by the 60-day visa exemption will instead be subject to the applicable 30-day visa exemption, 15-day visa exemption, Visa on Arrival, or other relevant entry arrangements, depending on nationality.

Read more: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/09/thailand-introduces-new-30-day-and-15-day-visa-exemption-rules-from-15-september/

Thailand visa exemption rules change on 15 September 2026, replacing 60-day stays with new 30-day and 15-day categories and updated Visa on Arrival.

31/08/2026

✨ Bangkok Named Host for Ultra Thailand 2027: Southeast Asia’s Debut for Ultra-Luxury Travel 💎
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially partnered with Private Luxury Events to host Ultra 2027 in Thailand, marking the prestigious event’s first-ever edition in Asia.
🗓 Date: 20–24 June 2027
📍 Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

This invitation-only event will bring together top-tier global buyers—including family offices, celebrity agents, and executive advisors—connecting Thailand’s luxury travel sector with an influential network serving Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs).

📌 Key Highlights:
Global Wealth Hub: Aligning with Knight Frank's projection of over 50% growth in Bangkok’s UHNW population by 2030.
Redefining Thai Luxury: Highlighting "Healing is the New Luxury," centered around wellness, world-class gastronomy, arts, and the legendary warmth of nam jai (Thai hospitality).

High-Value Tourism: Unlocking new commercial opportunities for Thai tourism partners in the global luxury market.

31/08/2026

News Update: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled “The Year of Transformation” as Thailand’s strategic tourism direction for 2027, built around four strategic moves supporting “The Winning Goal 2027”. TAT targets tourism revenue growth of at least 5% over 2026, a 60:40 visitor distribution between major and emerging destinations, and a place among Asia’s top three destinations for traveller loyalty, working towards the goal of becoming “Asia’s No.1 High-Value & Meaningful Destination”.

The four strategic moves comprise Rebalance Market Portfolio, Shape Experience Platform, Build New Growth Engine, and Transform Together.

Read more: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/08/tat-defines-the-year-of-transformation-as-thailands-2027-tourism-direction/

TAT unveils The Year of Transformation for Thailand’s 2027 tourism direction, targeting 5% revenue growth and higher-value, balanced tourism development.

30/08/2026

🇹🇭🇦🇺 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 — 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮!

This September, meet the Thailand Team, ATIT, behind Thailand’s growing movement in Accessible & Inclusive Tourism.

We’d love to connect with tourism professionals, accessibility advocates, researchers, travel media and anyone who believes that travel should be for everyone.

Come meet us, exchange ideas, discover what Thailand is developing and explore future opportunities together.

📍 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲 | 𝟰 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 | 𝟭:𝟬𝟬–𝟰:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 | 𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 | 𝟭:𝟬𝟬–𝟰:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠

☕ Complimentary coffee & refreshments
🎟️ Limited seats available

👉 Interested? Register here:
[ATITC Australia Registration Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmsOnCqxj52S38bOJ5YgiGcxH_0rLXIKJBUHjYGodN1BWXgw/viewform?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 → 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

26/08/2026

Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits: Phang Nga | Salika Durian from Kapong to Khao Lak 🇹🇭

The best time for this route is July–August. Start at a Kapong fruit orchard with Salika Durian GI, then relax at Plai Phu Hot Spring. Continue to Tamnang Waterfall, add a farm-to-table Southern lunch and drive onwards to Khao Lak. For the final day, choose between Phang Nga Bay by long-tail boat or the nature trail and coastline of Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park, and look for Thip Phang Nga Mangosteen GI locally.

Salika Durian is typically in season from May–July, so travellers making the fruit itself the focus should confirm availability before travelling.

Getting there: Phuket International Airport is a practical gateway for Khao Lak, with onward travel by road. A private transfer or hire car is particularly useful when including Kapong, as the route connects inland orchard country with the Andaman coast.

25/08/2026

Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits: Krabi | Durian, clear water and the Andaman coast 🇹🇭

The best time for this route is July–August. Begin inland with Talay Hoi Durian GI, noted for its smooth golden flesh and rich, creamy sweetness, then visit Wat Tham Prasat Nala Kiring, taste Phu Tawan Robusta Coffee and explore Wat Khao Hua Sing. The next day brings kayaking at Khlong Root, a long-tail boat trip to Khao Garos and Ban Nai Nang, and sunset at Ao Nang. Leave the final day for Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, with an island-hopping or scenic boat trip.

Getting there: Fly into Krabi International Airport and continue by road for the inland section. Staying first in or around Krabi town and then at Ao Nang lets the journey progress naturally from orchard country towards the Andaman coast.

24/08/2026

Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits: Nakhon Si Thammarat | Heritage, mountain orchards and community life 🇹🇭

The best time for this route is July–September. Begin at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town, with a taste of mangkhut khat, or peeled young mangosteen prepared as a local speciality. Continue to Khiriwong Community for Khao Khiriwong Mangosteen, a streamside local lunch, cafés and crafts. On the final day, try bamboo rafting at Ban Wang Hon and sample its preserved durian paste.

Getting there: Fly into Nakhon Si Thammarat and continue by road to the city and Khiriwong. A night in town followed by a night in Khiriwong keeps transfers manageable while allowing more time for community activities.

24/08/2026

Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits: Surat Thani | Orchards, Khao Sok and community waterways 🇹🇭

The best time for this route is July–August. Start in Nasan, harvesting Nasan Rambutan and tasting Nasan Salak before moving into Khao Sok National Park for rainforest scenery. Day two shifts to Cheow Lan Lake, where a long-tail boat journey between limestone cliffs can be paired with Khlong Saeng Durian. Finish at Khlong Noi Community with Khlong Noi Santol GI, followed by canoeing through the Bang Bai Mai Nipa Palm Tunnel and fresh Bang Bai Mai Coconut.

Getting there: Surat Thani can be reached by air or rail, with onward road transfers connecting Nasan, Khao Sok, Rajjaprabha Dam and the community areas. Three days and two nights allow the route to flow naturally from orchards to rainforest and waterways.

20/08/2026

South of Bangkok, where the Gulf of Thailand laps against a long crescent of pale sand, sits a town that quietly invented the modern Thai beach holiday. Hua Hin doesn’t shout for attention the way Phuket or Pattaya do. Its charm traces back to its foundations nearly a century ago, and Thailand’s government now wants the rest of the world to notice.

Read more: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/08/hua-hin-is-where-royal-legacy-meets-the-gulf-of-thailand/

20/08/2026

News Update: Visitors and members of the public are invited to witness the Royal Barge Procession 2026 and its rehearsals along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. From the first rehearsal on 17 August through to the Royal Kathin Ceremony on 6 November, these occasions offer a rare opportunity to observe one of Thailand’s most historic royal traditions.

The Royal Barge Procession will take place on 6 November 2026 for the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam, as part of the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s fourth-cycle, or 48th, birthday anniversary on 3 June 2026. During the ceremony, His Majesty the King will present Kathin robes to Buddhist monks in Her Majesty’s honour.

Read more: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/08/thailand-invites-visitors-to-witness-the-royal-barge-procession-2026-and-rehearsals-on-bangkoks-chao-phraya-river/