Thai mahout killed and Omani tourist injured in elephant attack in Phang NgaLegacyA Thai mahout was killed and an Omani tourist was injured in an elephant attack during a riding activity in Phang Nga on Saturday, June 27. Officers from Thung Kha Ngok Police Station were alerted to the incident in Song Prak subdistrict at around 2.30pm. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found the body of a 32 year old Thai mahout, later identified as Chaiyan Pradapsri. Police reported that Chaiyan was found lying on his back, wearing long trousers and a T-shirt, with multiple severe injuries, including broken bones. A 33 year old Omani tourist, identified as Majid Shaikhan Abdijill, was injured in the incident and transported to Phang Nga Hospital. No update on his condition was available at the time of reporting. The elephant involved, a 20 year old male named Thongkham, was found in a nearby forest following the attack. Photo via Facebook/ Phuketandamannews Witnesses told police that Chaiyan had been guiding Thongkham during a ride for the Omani tourist and another visitor. During the activity, the elephant attempted to enter the water, but the mahout intervened and tried to control it using a hook. According to witness accounts, the animal then became agitated and resisted further commands. The disturbance caused both tourists to fall from the seat mounted on the elephant. Chaiyan reportedly attempted to regain control of the elephant, which then ran for approximately 100 metres and shook violently, causing him to fall. The elephant then attacked him, resulting in fatal injuries. Photo via Facebook/ Phuketandamannews Officials from the Phang Nga Provincial Livestock Office attended the scene and began efforts to locate the elephant. Plans were made to sedate the animal to prevent further incidents, although it was not confirmed whether the elephant had been found. A similar fatal incident involving an elephant was reported in May at Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri. In that case, a volunteer was killed while attempting to move elephant herds away from a residential area. Officials believed a dog may have provoked the animals. The story Thai mahout killed and Omani tourist injured in elephant attack in Phang Nga as seen on Thaiger News.

Bangkok, 29 June 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organised the Amazing Thailand Roadshow to South Africa 2026 from 22 to 26 June across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, with Emirates as key airline partner. The activity supported TAT’s quality-led long-haul market strategy by connecting Thai tourism sellers with South African travel companies, expanding trade networks, presenting updated tourism products, and stimulating demand for meaningful travel to Thailand.

The roadshow brought together 20 Thai tourism sellers for tabletop sales sessions, market briefings, product presentations, business matching, and networking activities. It aimed to create at least 1,800 business appointments, support new partnerships, and strengthen Thailand’s visibility among South African travel professionals as the market continues to show positive recovery and strong interest in long-haul travel.

Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa, said, “South Africa is one of Thailand’s most valued long-haul markets in Africa, with travellers who show loyalty, curiosity, and strong interest in journeys combining beaches, city life, nature, culture, wellness, cuisine, and premium lifestyle experiences. Through this roadshow, TAT is deepening cooperation with South African travel partners, helping Thai sellers respond more closely to market demand, and working with Emirates to reinforce connectivity. These efforts align with TAT’s Value over Volume strategy and the newest global campaign, Unforgettable Experiences — Healing is the New Luxury, positioning Thailand as a destination for restorative, meaningful, and memorable travel.”

The Johannesburg session, held on 22 June at the NH Hotel Johannesburg, opened the programme with seller registration and a seller briefing, then welcomed buyers for Thailand product updates, an Emirates product presentation, and business matching. The session was attended by Mr. Kittipod Hongsombud, Minister, Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, reflecting broader support for Thailand’s tourism engagement in the market.

The programme continued in Durban on 24 June at The Capital Pearls Durban and concludes in Cape Town on 26 June at InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town by IHG. Across all three cities, South African travel professionals received updated destination information, product knowledge, and direct access to Thai sellers, while networking activities created further opportunities for business development and future sales cooperation.

The 20 participating Thai sellers represented a broad mix of destinations and products. Phuket accounted for half of the delegation, followed by Bangkok, while Krabi, Hua Hin, Khao Sok, Ko Samui, and Pattaya were also represented. By business category, hotels and resorts formed the largest group, supported by destination management companies and other tourism service providers.

Emirates’ participation strengthened the roadshow’s connectivity message, highlighting access between South Africa and Thailand via major global hubs. The partnership supported TAT’s efforts to bring Thai tourism products closer to South African travellers and encourage stronger travel conversion from one of Africa’s leading outbound markets.

South Africa remains Thailand’s largest source market in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2025, Thailand welcomed 72,418 South African visitors, up 6.61% year-on-year, while arrivals from Africa reached 196,984, up 17.96%. Early 2026 figures also showed continued momentum, with 8,912 arrivals from South Africa from 1 January to 28 February, up 4.72% year-on-year.

South African travellers continue to show strong interest in Thailand’s beaches, city experiences, cuisine, cultural attractions, wellness, nature, shopping, and multi-destination itineraries. The Amazing Thailand Roadshow to South Africa 2026 responds to these travel patterns by equipping local trade partners with updated products and deeper market knowledge, while supporting TAT’s quality-led direction for long-haul growth.

The post Amazing Thailand Roadshow to South Africa 2026 deepens tourism trade ties appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

PHUKET: Deputy Minister of Transport Sanphet Bunyamanee over the weekend inspected some jet-ski operations, some taxi services, and Chalong Pier, pledging to strengthen safety standards and modernise the islands transport network to support its tourism industry.

PHUKET: Five House of Representatives committees carried out a sweeping series of inspections across Phuket over the weekend, targeting land encroachment, illegal development, blocked beach access, unlicensed businesses and conservation issues as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

PHUKET: Small and medium-sized hotel operators in Phuket have taken their long-running licensing dispute to Parliament, warning that a legal vacuum has left more than 5,600 hotels unable to apply for or renew hotel business licences despite years of efforts to bring operators into the legal system.