The Tourism Authority of Thailand is adopting a cautious approach to implement a visa fee waiver program to attract more foreign tourists. In response to calls from tourism operators for a fee waiver scheme to boost the market, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn expressed reservations, citing the current lengthy visa application waiting period as the primary concern. He pointed out that previous attempts at this strategy faced challenges, with issues arising regarding tour package prices and the scheme being denied by relevant authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Though tourism is gradually recovering, experts predict that the market will only reach less than 50% of the 2019 levels when it peaked at around 10 million visitors. The TAT governor noted that slow recovery in the Chinese economy and flight shortages, due to supply-side issues like aircraft and maintenance, are significant factors slowing down the market's recovery. There is hope for an upturn in visitor numbers during China's "Golden Week" holiday in October, as airlines plan to increase services to handle the surge in passengers.
In an effort to revitalize tourism, Thai Lion Air will open six new routes to Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xi'an from August 15, utilizing Boeing 737–800 and Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The airline currently operates 15 aircraft in its fleet, consisting of 13 B737-800s and two B737-900ERs.
Thai AirAsia has also shown promising signs, with an average load factor of 80% on Chinese routes during the first half of the year, serving 13 operational routes to 12 destinations in China. The airline plans to gradually resume routes to southern China and aims for full recovery by the year's end, both in terms of destinations and flight frequencies.

Journey to Sala Daeng station as we embark on a quest to savor the delectable Roti with banana and egg, skillfully crafted by the one and only culinary wizard, Benjawan Kaewsaen, more commonly known as the "Puy the Roti Lady.

Thailand has always been a popular tourist destination, but there is now a notable surge in Russian elites heading to Phuket, the country's largest island.
As Western countries impose restrictions due to Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, many Russians are finding a warm reception in Thailand, as reported by Bloomberg. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed that from January to June this year, over 790,000 Russian nationals visited the country, marking an astounding 1,000 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Phuket, in particular, welcomed more than half of these visitors, making Russians the primary group of tourists to the island, according to the Phuket Tourist Association.
Yuri Vorona, a restaurant manager in Phuket, described the atmosphere as wonderful and peaceful, with many Russians seeking relaxation and tranquility

Moreover, Russians aren't just temporary visitors; a significant number of them are investing in properties. In 2022, 338 villas were sold in Phuket, with around half of those being purchased by Russians, based on data from real-estate agency Knight Frank Thailand. Russian speakers dominate the island's property market, as Christian Steinbach, the sales director at FazWaz property group, pointed out.
Besides the general Russian influx, Thailand is witnessing the presence of its ultra-wealthy. Russian oligarch Alexander Svetakov's superyacht was spotted in Phuket during Christmas, and billionaire Igor Rybakov held business-coaching classes on the island in January.
To accommodate this growing Russian population, Thailand and its locals are adjusting accordingly. Phuket's airport now makes announcements in Russian, and the cuisine has expanded to include Russian delicacies like borscht and blini, alongside traditional Thai dishes like pad thai and tom yum soup. Russian bathhouses, rock concerts, and the recent opening of a Russian consulate further signify the adaptation to the increasing number of Russian expats.
With the ongoing migration of Russian elites to Thailand, Phuket might soon be recognized as the "Little Russia" of the East.

A Swiss man's attempt to enhance his sexual experience by placing a steel ring around his penis led to an embarrassing predicament when Thai rescuers spent over two hours trying to remove it.
A Pattaya hospital called upon the Swang Borriboon Rescue Team to bring a steel-cutting tool to aid 52-year-old Swiss man named Urs. ThaiRath reported that Urs appeared pale and experienced intense pain due to the tight steel ring.
The rescue team reported that the steel ring had a diameter of about six to seven centimeters and had been worn around Urs' genitals. After a careful two-hour operation, the rescuers successfully cut and removed the ring. The media did not disclose the condition of his "crown jewels" after the incident.
Urs did not provide any specific information about his intentions behind wearing the ring. However, the rescuers speculated that he may have believed it could enhance his sexual pleasure.
The rescuers noted that this wasn't the first time they encountered individuals attempting to heighten their sexual pleasure through such means. Some people believe that wearing a steel ring around their genitalia can enlarge the organ. The rescuers issued a warning against such practices, emphasizing the potential harm it could cause.
A similar case occurred in June with a Burmese man in Thailand. He sought medical treatment after trapping his penis in a steel ring for a week, resulting in discoloration and swelling. The man admitted to using the ring to increase the size of his genitalia, but it proved to be nothing more than a myth.
Medical professionals also cautioned against injecting random medicines into the penis, as it could lead to severe side effects.

On July 25, the Cabinet meeting approved a proposal to increase entrance fees for foreigners visiting historic sites in Thailand. However, Thai nationals will continue to pay the same rates as they have since 2008.
The new entrance fees for historical sites are as follows:

• Historical parks for Thai nationals: 20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 120-200 baht (previously 100 baht).
• Archeological sites or significant places for Thai nationals: 10-20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 80-120 baht (previously 50-100 baht).

As for admission fees to national museums, the revised rates are:

• Small national museums for Thai nationals: 10 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 80 baht (previously 50 baht).
• Medium-sized national museums for Thai nationals: 10-20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 120 baht (previously 50-100 baht).
• Large national museums for Thai nationals: 20-30 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 200 baht (previously 100-150 baht).

For highly visited national museums, like the National Museum in Bangkok, the new rates for Thai nationals will be 30 baht per person and for foreign nationals: 240 baht (previously 200 baht).
Additionally, four other registered historic sites and national museums that used to charge fees for foreign language audio guides will now offer them for free. These sites include:

• Historical Park – Sdok Kok Thanom, Khok Sung District, Sakaeo.
• Wat Kudi Dao, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
• Nakhon Nayok National Museum, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok.
• Surin National Museum, Mueang Surin District, Surin.

The government spokesperson, Tipanan Sirichana, stated that "entrance fees for Thai nationals will remain unchanged to promote learning, preserve cultural heritage, and foster a sense of national identity across all generations without increasing the financial burden of tourism on Thai citizens."

An overloaded passenger boat capsized off Indonesia's Sulawesi island, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and leaving 19 others missing, according to rescuers on Monday.
The vessel was traveling from Lanto village in Buton Central regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, to nearby Lagili village when it capsized just after midnight on Monday, as reported by the local search and rescue agency head, Muhammad Arafah.
The wooden boat was carrying 40 people, despite being designed for just 20.
Rescuers were searching on Monday for the 19 people still missing in rough seas, while they had recovered 15 bodies, and six people were rescued, according to Arafah.
To aid in the search for the missing people, three inflatable boats, two fishing boats, and six divers were deployed, he added.
Thousands of residents had traveled to their villages to celebrate the regency's 9th anniversary on Sunday, and many people were transported by fishing or passenger boats.
Television news showed footage of people on fishing boats retrieving bodies in the overnight darkness, as well as grieving relatives waiting for information at a port and a local hospital.
Indonesia is an archipelago with over 17,000 islands, and ferries are a common means of transportation. Due to lax safety standards and problems with overcrowding, accidents occur frequently.
In 2018, an overcrowded ferry with about 200 people onboard sank in a lake in North Sumatra province, resulting in the deaths of 167 people.
In one of the country's worst recorded disasters, an overcrowded passenger ship sank in February 1999 with 332 people aboard, with only 20 people surviving.

Welcome to our culinary adventure through the vibrant and flavorful world of Thai cuisine! In this YouTube video, we're excited to showcase our top 15 favorite Thai dishes that will leave you craving for more. From classic street food to aromatic curries, get ready to embark on a journey of unforgettable tastes and aromas.