The day's most relevant stories from the Philippines and Asia's major countries. Links to original sources.
Malaysia's AirAsia has entered into its first codeshare partnership with Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines, opening up connections between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul.
Phuket is not one destination. The west coast has resort beaches and nightlife. The south has temples, viewpoints and quieter bays. Old Town has Sino-Portuguese architecture and a food culture UNESCO recognised in 2015. The sea around it connects to some of Southeast Asia’s most
Burnham Lake 2.0: Baguio reopens its old heart, looks ahead to 2043
Tourism activities in Batangas town resume after 2-day suspension
USJ to expand theme park site for first time
Thailand has announced an updated visa-exemption list allowing tourists from 60 countries and territories to enter the kingdom without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The Ministry of Interior announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on August 31 following Cabinet approv
Thailand’s Pattaya pins hopes on arrival of 5,000 US sailors to boost tourism
India’s aviation boom faces turbulence amid safety concerns
Tourism Authority of Thailand now forecasts more than 55,000 million baht in revenue for Songkhla across all of 2026, driven by Malaysian and Singaporean arrivals. The story Songkhla tourism revenue hits 32 billion baht in seven months as seen on Thaiger News.
Heavy rain hit Kaeng Khoi district on August 30, stranding resort guests and washing a pickup truck off a weir The story Tourists rescued from resorts after flash floods hit Saraburi as seen on Thaiger News.
Thai AirAsia will add flights to and from Phuket during the fourth quarter of 2026, as the airline prepares for an expected rebound in domestic tourism over the high season. The airline will scale up its domestic network to a maximum of 135 flights per day between October and Dec
Wife of British man who died after turbulence sues Singapore Airlines
Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026 by Time Out, rising from 13th place last year to take the top spot ahead of Berlin, New York City, Melbourne and São Paulo. Time Out’s Best Cities for Nightlife 2026 ranking was based on a survey of more than 24,0
Under the new itinerary, these select sailings from Singapore will include a visit to Langkawi on Day 3. Guests can either explore Langkawi independently or book shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, through Disney Cruise Line.
A peek at NAIA T3’s swanky First Meridian — and the coming lounge shake-up
Thailand’s government has confirmed a tourist visa revocation policy targeting foreign visitors found to be causing trouble or acting inappropriately, following reports of disruptive behaviour in Phuket and Koh Samui. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said th
21mil tourist arrivals in first half of 2026, but pace slackens
The Tourism Authority of Thailand pairs 10 new FAM trip routes, including Khao Sam Roi Yot and Koh Samui, with its existing cash-rebate scheme for foreign film productions. The story TAT campaign aims to turn film locations into Thailand holidays as seen on Thaiger News.
Department of Highways will run the new 16.4km elevated Ekachai to Ban Phaeo stretch free of charge from August 28, ahead of tolling in 2029. The story M82 motorway free trial opens Ekachai to Ban Phaeo on August 28 as seen on Thaiger News.
DENR keeps Pamitinan protected area in Rizal closed over safety risks
Government to support tourism in quake-hit Kyushu region
A passenger reported belongings worth around 600,000 baht missing from a suitcase after flying from Bangkok to Krabi, prompting Suvarnabhumi Airport to investigate the baggage’s journey through the airport. The passenger posted on social media that they travelled on Thai VietJet
A foreign woman was rescued from the sea yesterday, August 22, after ignoring a red flag warning and entering the water at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket, where strong waves and currents left her unconscious. The incident was reported by the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, which sh
Malaysians told to put off travel to 3 Thai provinces after bombings
Hong Kong and Shenzhen test crossings at revamped Huanggang Port ahead of opening
A Thai Airways flight bound for Bangkok was forced to turn back to Frankfurt yesterday after declaring an in-flight emergency over a landing gear fault. Flight TG921 departed Frankfurt Airport in Germany at 12.34pm local time on its scheduled route to Bangkok. Around thirty eight
SRT Electrified Train Company (SRTET) already runs the Red Line commuter rail. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has asked it to prepare to take over management of the Airport Rail Link. That would happen if Asia Era One’s operating contract lapses on September 30. Air Chief Ma
Clearing the way for smoother travel between East Malaysia, Brunei
Quota set for visitors to popular Sai Kung coastal trail in first for Hong Kong
Thailand’s M6 motorway between Bang Pa-in and Pak Chong will be free to use every weekend, starting today, August 21. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn announced the change. The road will be open from noon Friday through midnight Sunday, cutting
The agreement could lay the groundwork for daily flights between the Philippines and Iceland, though no airline has announced plans to use the new rights
Ascend Airways Malaysia gets CAAM nod for passenger operations
The enhanced SGAC will offer 19 language options, up from 12 currently, and an improved interface.
Bangkok has secured eighth place worldwide in a new global tourism study, with the Thai capital’s tourism ranking placing it ahead of Okinawa and Chicago and just behind Rome. The 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index, published by Yanolja Research on July 16, evaluated 2
Foreign visitors to Japan increased 0.1% in July
Passport holders from 31 additional countries should gain access to the airport's automated lanes by the end of August. The story Suvarnabhumi Auto Gate to open to 31 more nationalities as seen on Thaiger News.
Japan’s hotels embrace sleep tourism with brain scans, tea and custom beds
Thai immigration police have raided a visa agency in Bangkok accused of forging bank statements and official stamps for European visa applications. Investigators believe more than 400 clients were involved. Immigration Division 3 announced the results on August 17. The case began
CNA goes behind the scenes at Johor Bahru’s Bukit Chagar RTS Link station, where high-tech body scanners, an operations command centre and direct links to nearby malls are taking shape ahead of the rail service’s expected launch in January 2027.
JAL and ANA to coordinate flight schedules for first time
A Thai government official says he was denied boarding on a domestic flight from Trang to Don Mueang on August 10, despite holding a confirmed booking, a locked-in window seat and a pre-ordered meal. Staff told him the flight was full after 189 passengers had already checked in,
Four Spanish tourists were injured when a large tree fell at Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya Historical Park today, August 16. Three women suffered minor injuries, while a man was seriously injured. The tree fell beside a walkway at the historic site at about 12.30pm, with branc
Twelve people were rescued after a tour boat carrying Indian tourists capsized off Krabi yesterday, August 15. The group was travelling from Ao Nang Beach to Hong Island when a large wave struck the longtail boat. No deaths were reported. Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi Nationa
A sudden flash flood at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai swept away a tourist and left others with minor injuries yesterday, August 15. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park officials helped everyone reach safety before taking one tourist to hospital. The incident was reported at about 3pm
Freedom Beach in Phuket has been temporarily closed to visitors after a German tourist went missing at the beach and was later found dead on August 11. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said on August 14 that he had instructed the Royal Forest Department
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is considering bringing back duty-free shops for arriving passengers, giving travellers entering Thailand another option to buy duty-free goods. AOT president Paweena Jariyathitipong said the plan remains at the feasibility-study stage and no decision h
Jpark turns a Cebu staycation into a family adventure
What can Hong Kong travellers expect from the revamped Huanggang border crossing?
A clip circulating this week shows security guards from a Bangla Road venue beating a foreign tourist in Patong. They drag him out of the door and into the street first. The man is pulled out of the entrance and onto the road. The guards do not stop once he is outside. Several of
Four foreign divers who went missing off the coast of Samae San in Chon Buri were found safe yesterday evening, after a search involving multiple agencies stretched over several hours. The divers, all experienced and certified, had entered the water for technical diving training
300 rai of old Rangsit wetland, an hour north of the city, and the first free look lands sooner than you would think. Ask anyone who was in Bangkok before 2018 about Dusit Zoo and you will get a story. The swan boats on the lake. The queue at the hippo pool. That specific smell …
Overnight stays by foreign guests exceed prepandemic levels in 39 prefectures
Chinese travellers will take fewer overseas trips in the second half of 2026 than forecasters expected. A weak economy at home has made them far choosier about which trips are worth taking. China Trading Desk, a travel data firm, now expects about 179 million outbound trips this
Hong Kong holds first large-scale drill at revamped Huanggang border crossing
Chalong Police Station inspected Lion Cafe in Phuket yesterday, August 11, after viral photos claiming a lion had attacked a Chinese tourist raised concern over the province’s tourism image. Police found the business held a valid operating licence, and that the two lions kept the
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has proposed a new Thailand tourist fee on foreign visitors, with the proceeds funding attraction development, visitor safety and environmental restoration. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul presented the proposal on
A Chinese tourist has been bitten by a lion cub at a cafe in Phuket. Staff said a rabies jab was not needed. The tourist paid for one anyway. The case has reopened debate in China over the safety of cafes that use big cats as a paid attraction. The tourist first described the inc
Ohana Ryokan survived post-war upheaval to become a living record of the Tachibana family, complete with historic rooms, a pine garden and canal-side experiences.
Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific announced Thursday that it will resume flights to the Middle East, as the United States and Iran signal that efforts to end the war remain viable.
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