Good news, travel enthusiasts! Here’s something to get your 2025 plans going.

The Thai Cabinet just declared three new holidays to boost tourism and the overall economy. Deputy Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that the cabinet approved the ministry’s proposal for additional government holidays in June and August 2025, as well as January 2026.

The added holidays next year both fall on a Monday, Jun. 2 and Aug. 11, with the Queen’s birthday holiday on Jun. 3 and Mother’s Day on Aug. 12, creating a four-day weekend and rounding up the 2025 public holidays to 21 days total.

The extra holiday in 2026 is on Jan. 2, Friday, extending the New Year break to five days from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4.

Thailand has granted additional holidays in recent years to aid the recovery of the travel industry from the pandemic. The tourism sector in the country accounts for about 12% of gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of the country's jobs.

An official from the Ministry of Tourism stated, “The extended holidays are anticipated to bring substantial economic benefits, as increased travel and tourism activities will generate revenue for local enterprises and create job opportunities.”

These special holidays are intended to provide citizens with extended rest periods and enhance family time, which in turn boosts domestic tourism. With the additional holidays, many citizens will be encouraged to travel within the country and experience cultural and leisure activities like shopping through weekend markets or food tripping. Thailand is a great country to explore all year round, and has been named by travel platforms like Agoda as a premiere destination in Asia for their local cuisine and beaches.

Follow the Tourism Authority of Thailand on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

We all love a good travel story, but as transportation and flying become more accessible, we rarely find anything out of the ordinary anymore. Theerat “Touch” Wattanakijrungroj however, has an incredible narrative about the sojourn he’s currently undertaking.

The 30-year-old Thai adventurer is traveling from Thailand to Mexico without hopping on a plane. “Flying is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to [get to Mexico]. But you will miss so many interesting things along the way,” he said.

Touch, who first traveled to Mexico at 17 as a student on exchange, has since fallen in love with the world. On that trip, he’d spent a year with a local host family, immersing himself in the vibrant culture of South America. Then, after graduating from university at 23, he saw the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (inspired by James Thurber’s short story of the same name) and began to daydream for himself.

“The film inspired me and made me realize that I wanted to try solo backpacking!” Touch shared. “For my first solo trip [at the age of 23], I traveled from Thailand to Nepal. I had an amazing 70 days in Myanmar, India, and Nepal, though I did have to take a flight from Myanmar to India due to a border problem.”

Today, he’s undertaking a much grander adventure, heading back to Mexico to revisit his original host family from 2010: “I just have to embrace whatever is going to happen on this trip; it won’t be good or bad, just different. I lowered my expectations and just did it.”

Since leaving Bangkok, Touch has visited a host of exotic locales. He’s passed through Lijiang, China, Taraz, Kazakhstan, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “I’ve met so many nice people along the way. I realized that sometimes, it’s not just about the place, but it’s about the people. You can love a city with no beautiful scenery if you meet nice people there!”

Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone he’s met has been particularly friendly, “My bag, passport, and camera were stolen in Phnom Penh on the third day of my original journey. I needed to go to the Thai embassy; I panicked for a while but then just calmed myself down and let it go. I had to go back to Thailand and spend an additional three weeks [back home] to process all the documents and visas again.”

But, Touch admitted, it’s during these bad times that he’s able to learn more about life. After all, “bad shit makes for good stories,” he laughed. Touch is also a firm believer in the law of attraction; so, despite his three-week setback, the adventurer knows that it’s just part of the story. “I’ve had a lot of experiences traveling, and I’ve seen a lot of good and bad in the world. I just embrace it all. But I do believe in the law of attraction: good people attract each other, and I believe I’m one of the good ones, so I’ll just be myself and explore the world. I’ll solve problems along the way – that’s part of the experience.”

As of interview time, Touch had been passing through Aktau, a city by the Caspian Sea; he was about to cross to Uzbekistan. “It’s been almost three months since I started this trip, but I have no idea when I’ll arrive in Mexico. I don’t want to hurry things, but if I have to guess, maybe I’ll get there by mid-2025.”

Of course, a burning question people have had for Touch is a matter of pragmatism: finances. “After working hard for so many years, I finally have enough money to [go back to Mexico]!” he shared. A multipotentialite, Touch has worked as an emcee, DJ, teacher, photographer, videographer, and swing dancer (among many others). “I believe that when I do the things I love, money will come. I enjoy working and it pays off. I’m not rich, but I have enough to travel the world. [For this trip], I set the budget at about USD30,000. Hopefully that’s enough, but if not, I can work along the way because most of my jobs allow me to work remotely as a freelancer.”

Touch has realized however, that at the moment, money isn’t his biggest priority. “Now that I’m 30, things are more complicated in life, and it wasn’t easy to let go of all [my responsibilities]. But I learned that sometimes, time is more valuable than money.”

Ultimately, Touch’s goal as a traveler is to inspire others to do the same. “Thai passports aren’t very strong; we have to arrange a lot of documents for visas. But again, it’s not impossible. I’m also making videos for this trip hoping it could help inspire people in some way. I put English subtitles on my videos in case foreigners want to follow my journey too.”

See more of Touch’s journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

New accommodation alert! Fusion Hotel Group is launching a brand-new hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s historic Dusit district.

GLOW Bangkok Riverside is set to open this month, boasting stunning views of the Chao Phraya River and five stories of rooms and suites ranging from the Superior Room at 19 to 22 sqm to the 40 sqm River Suite. Whether you’re looking for a family getaway or a place to enjoy some ‘me’ time, this new stylish hotel offers facilities and amenities for a relaxing and comfortable stay.

All 126 rooms have either king-size or twin beds and are tastefully decorated with rich hues, warm wood tones, and colorful accents, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Each room is air-conditioned and boasts a 42” TV, a minibar, and free Wi-Fi. Most rooms also have an open-air balcony but if you want to wake up to lovely city sights, we recommend booking one of the River-view suites as they have floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to enjoy views of the bustling river.

You can also enjoy some of their fantastic facilities such as the fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool, which is perfectly situated to offer front-row seats to the never-ending theater of Bangkok’s famous river life. Guests can also avail of their services such as laundry service, onsite parking, and much more!

The hotel’s location makes it the perfect spot for sightseeing and day trips with its neighborhood lined with elaborate temples and government offices. Their private riverboat shuttle and pier offer convenient transportation for guests who wish to visit Bangkok’s famous cultural attractions, including the majestic Grand Palace, Queen Sirikit Textile Museum, and the awe-inspiring Wat Po (reclining Buddha). You can also venture further to explore cultural treasures at the National Museum or visit the vibrant backpacker hangout of Khao San Road.

For dining, the hotel serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Currents Café & Bar, which is an ideal spot for guests to hold business meetings or simply enjoy a meal or drinks by the river.

“In unveiling GLOW Bangkok Riverside, we are honored to join the panorama of the Thai capital’s famed river skyline,” said Markus Gloor, the Director of Operations in Thailand. “This is the fourth GLOW property in the city, and we aspire to offer both our new customers and our returning guests a fresh modern experience at a competitive price, but in an area close to the Grand Palace and numerous historical attractions.”

Be the first to enjoy what this new accommodation has to offer by taking advantage of its special soft opening promo! From now until Oct. 31, you can book rooms from THB1,575/night nett. Simply use “PRE” in the promotional code to redeem your discount. You can find more details and info here.

GLOW Bangkok Riverside’s October opening marks the Fusion Hotel Group’s fifth hotel launch in Southeast Asia this year, following the opening of Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang and HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong New City in Vietnam in July. This is preceded by the opening of The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon in May, and the announcement in December 2023 that the group had launched Fusion Suites Phuket Patong, its first hillside resort in Thailand.

“Our expansion in 2024 is part of a much bigger picture. Our ambition is to increase our regional footprint with an impressive goal of 50 properties by 2028,” said Chief Operating Officer David Roberts. The Vietnamese hotel group began with one resort in 2008 and has now expanded to 24 hotels and resorts throughout Vietnam and Thailand.

“Our team at Fusion continues to set industry benchmarks, fueled by their passion for innovation and hospitality,” he added.

Book your stay today. Follow GLOW Bangkok Riverside on Facebook and Instagram for updates and special offers.

Revamped and revitalized, Centara Life by Centara Hotels & Resorts opens its doors with innovative guest-friendly concepts and special features that seek to “Elevate the Essentials.”

Formerly known as Centra by Centara, this value four-star hotel is the new upper-midscale brand composed of nine properties, eight of which are in Thailand and one in Oman. Thailand’s leading hotel operator aims to revitalize guest experiences with a series of unique offerings that cater to and empower every type of guest from families to couples and solo travelers, making trips more comfortable, convenient, and affordable!

Staying true to their motto of elevating guest experiences, every Centara Life hotel offers anytime check-in, and a full 24-hour stay providing flexibility for travelers arriving on late-night and early-morning flights. This means you can use your room until the same time on your day of departure and make the most out of your stay!

And speaking of flexibility, Centara Life offers daily breakfasts until 4 PM and an array of free snack delights throughout the day at the hotel’s restaurants to cater to guests’ unique schedules. Have late-night cravings? Centara Life’s got you covered with their night-time noodle station!

But wait, there’s more! Some properties also offer shuttle services to help guests explore the area and even have an app that can give them discounts at nearby shops.

“At Centara Hotels & Resorts, we are committed to delivering exceptional hospitality in every sector of the market, underpinned by our 40-year heritage of warm and heartfelt Thai service. With the launch of Centara Life, guests can now experience bright, inviting, and stress-free stays that work to their schedule. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners to introduce this versatile brand to attractive destinations across Thailand and around the world,” said Mr. Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

In celebration of the launch, the hotel has a special, exclusive promotion for CentaraThe1 members called “Centara Life: Uplift Your Everyday” which is available for bookings until Oct. 31 and stays till Dec. 20. Guests who will stay for three nights will get the third night for free.

If that’s not enough to get you booking, the hotel’s guests will also be able to enjoy “Buy 1, Get 1 free” deals on selected food and drinks and receive double CentaraThe1 points for every stay. Sign up to be a CentaraThe1 member here.

For more information on this special promo and to book your stay today, click here.

Follow Centara Hotels & Resort on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest hotel deals and promos to elevate your stays!

Bangkok’s old Customs House, which is situated along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, will be getting revamped soon! Langham Hospitality Group (LHG), in cooperation with Rabbit Holdings, is set to open the luxury hotel The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok on the said site, aiming to restore the historical building to its former glory.

The Customs House will be the project’s centerpiece, accompanied by a revamped former post office that will house various lavish amenities. To top it off, the building will be flanked by a modern structure, where The Langham’s 78 guest rooms will be located.

The project is expected to blend modern luxury with the Customs House’s rich heritage with a restoration effort that will still retain the building's original architectural features while integrating contemporary design and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok, is also expected to embody Langham’s renowned luxury. Some of the facilities guests can indulge themselves in at the hotel include delicious food and pastry at T’ang Court, The Langham Hong Kong’s three Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as the brand’s renowned wellness space, Chuan Spa.

“The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok exemplifies our strategy of incorporating cultural preservation into hotel development while concurrently creating unparalleled experiences for guests and the communities in which we operate,” said LHG Chief Executive Officer Bob van den Oord in a press release.

Bangkok’s Customs House was erected in 1888 and is known for its Neo-Palladian design, designed by architect Joachim Grassi. It features a grand central staircase, a four-story hallway, and teak floors, and has hosted royal family soirées in the past.

The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok is slated to open in 2026. To learn more about the project, visit LHG’s website.