Infographics: List of foreign nationals who can travel to Philippines Visa Free

The Department of Foreign Affairs released the new list of countries whose citizens can travel to the Philippines visa-free.

PAL announces Independence Day seat sale

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Monday 27 May 2019 their Independence Day seat sale offering domestic and international flights. Domestic flights are sold for as low as Php399 while international flights at USD89. Booking period will be on May 27 til June 2, 2019 and travel period is from June 17 to November 30, 2019. […]

Philippines, Thailand 6 other countries issue travel advisory amid May 22 Jakarta riots

8 countries issued travel advisory following the post-election protests turned full blown riots in Jakarta on Wednesday, 22 May 2019. ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines issued travel advisories. Tourism Ministry spokesman Guntur Sakti said on Thursday that Canada, United States, England and Australia issued similar advisories to their citizens. Australian […]

STATS: Thailand is the most preferred destination by Chinese tourists among ASEAN countries

Thailand remains to be the top destination for Chinese tourists among ASEAN neighbors even well ahead of Asian countries outside ASEAN. According to statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 10.5 million Chinese visited Thailand in 2018 way more than the 8.3 million Chinese arrivals in Japan. While Philippines celebrated the rise of […]

Local residents complain of influx of Chinese tourists in condos

In a report by The Nation, tenants at Condo C Ekkamai along Sukhumvit Soi 63, complained about the Chinese condo owners renting out their units to their fellow Chinese visiting Thailand as tourists. One of the tenants described their building as “like Beijing during Songkran.” A team of maids were hired to prepare and clean […]

Department of Tourism Calls for Research Proposals for 200,000 Peso-Grant

Call for Proposals: DOT-Tourism Research Grant 2019 The Department of Tourism (DOT), in line with its objective of promoting a culture of tourism research in the country is calling for research proposals for its 2019 Tourism Research Grant. The DOT is providing financial assistance to individual research in tourism. The grant aims to foster evidence-based […]

Ayutthaya to hold Festival Week in May

Experience the splendor of ancient Siam in a week long festival to be held in the ancient capital of Thailand dubbed the “Ayutthaya Festival Week 2019” on May 22-26, 2019. Main events will be held at Sanam Rat (Ayutthaya City Pillar Shrine) located inside the Ayutthaya Historical Park a UNESCO Heritage site famous for its […]

Maya Bay closure extended til mid May 2021

Maya Bay on Phi Phi island was temporarily closed last year due to rise of visitors on the average 5,000 per day which according to the officials caused damage to the environment. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation announced the extended closure until mid May of 2021 to give time for the island’s […]

Cabinet Waives Thai Visa Fees for Visitors from 21 countries

The Interim Cabinet on Tuesday, April 23 approved the extension of the waiver of visa-on-arrival fees for six more months in an effort to boost the tourism industry in Thailand. This move is expected to generate an additional 104 billion THB income into the economy. Visitors from Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, […]

Thai Airways holds “See the World Sense the World” photo contest

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND Bangkok, 24 April 2019 – Thai Airways International (THAI) is holding “See the World Sense the World” photo contest for passengers who travel with THAI or THAI Smile during 26 April – 15 July 2019 and share photographs on social media to win roundtrip tickets. Contestants must be […]

In Photos: Ayutthaya is getting ready for Songkran

Ready to get wet this Songkran Festival? Look! Ayutthaya is painting the elephants for the Songkran revelry. Photos by: AFP News Agency

Travel Advisory: Grand Palace to close on April 17, 21, and 28

The Grand Palace will be closed on 17, 21, and 28 days due to the preparations for the Coronation of King Rama X.

Senator Koko Pimentel wants travel tax abolished

A press release issued on April 10 by the Office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III’s office stated the move of the re-electionist senator for the abolition of the law imposing travel tax. Here’s the news release in toto. Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has filed a bill seeking to abolish the 42-year-old presidential decree that […]

DOT: Top summer destinations in the Philippines

Going back to the Philippines for the summer break? Here are the top Philippine destinations recommended by the Department of Tourism: Banaue Rice Terraces — Ifugao Province, Cordillera Because of its high altitude, Banaue is often described as “where land merges with the clouds to meet the heavens” with the rice terraces as “the stairway to […]

Two Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Pampanga in April

BIGGEST HOT-AIR BALLOON EVENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Lubao International Hot-Air Balloon and Music Festival was held in Pradera Verde Wakepark, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga on April 5-7. Organized by Lubao International Balloon Festival, Inc. (LIBF) together with Forthinker, Inc., in cooperation with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTO) and with support from […]

What is Songkran?

Songkran is considered as the most popular of the many festivals in Thailand. Songkran or the Thai New Year, in its purest form, is a religious festival steeped in Buddhist and Brahman traditions. Songkran (สงกรานต์ in Thai or संक्रांति in Sanskrit) is a Sanskrit word for ‘a move’ or ‘a change’  marking the end of […]