TAT and StarDream Cruises join forces to Position Thailand as a Premier Global Cruise Destination as Part of Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025
22 April 2025 (Bangkok, Thailand) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with StarDream Cruises, is taking a bold step in promoting the high-value cruise tourism market by introducing the Star Voyager, a luxury cruise ship with a passenger capacity of approximately 1,940 guests, to operate with Thailand as a home port for the very first time. The cruises will run from 22 April to 12 May 2025, serving the route Laem Chabang – Koh Samui – Singapore – Laem Chabang, with two calls scheduled for 22–27 April and 7–12 May, 2025.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to enhance Thailand’s tourism and maritime industry which is aligned with the Thailand Government’s Policy” said Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, the Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, TAT. She has also mentioned about the Thailand’s competitiveness in welcoming cruise travellers, and emphasized, “This event is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team, partners, and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. Their unwavering support and hard work have made it possible for us to showcase Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality to the world.”
To celebrate this inaugural sailing from Thailand, TAT has arranged the special welcoming parade of Thai traditional long-drum procession and the vibrant show from Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya, Chonburi Province, and souvenirs from Thailand, as unforgettable gifts for only visitors participating in these 2 exclusive departures from Thailand.
“We’re excited to homeport the Star Voyager in Bangkok as we introduce the revitalized StarCruises brand in Thailand,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises. “This launch represents a significant step forward in our vision to position Thailand as a cruise hub in Southeast Asia. With this regional deployment, we aim to attract a diverse range of travellers while supporting the country’s growing tourism economy.”
Onboard, passengers were invited to take part in interactive cultural demonstrations that showcased the charm of Thai heritage such as hand-painting traditional Bo Sang umbrellas, crafting royal-style herbal sachets (Buhnga Ram Pai), and witnessing the graceful Thai classical dance, reflecting Thailand’s refined artistic roots. All activities were curated under the theme “5 Must Do in Thailand”: Must Taste, Must Try, Must Buy, Must Seek, and Must See, designed to offer cruise travelers rich and immersive Thai experiences as part of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, with the goal of inspiring future visits to the Kingdom.
Building on over 30 years of cruising excellence across Asia and beyond, the newly revitalized StarCruises brand proudly celebrates its inaugural sailing from Thailand with the arrival of the Star Voyager at Laem Chabang Port, the gateway to Bangkok. This momentous occasion signals a bold new chapter for both StarCruises and Thailand, reinforcing the country’s growing status as a key cruise hub and destination in Southeast Asia.
The Star Voyager, fresh from a US$50 million refurbishment, now offers Thai travellers and international guests an elevated cruising experience—conveniently starting from their own doorstep. The ship’s maiden 5 Night itinerary from Bangkok begins today with an additional departure on 7 May 2025, featuring port call destinations to Ko Samui and Singapore.
Thailand is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most promising cruise tourism destinations, due to its diverse range of tourism products and services. According to the report of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC), in 2024, Thailand welcomed 162 cruise ship calls, carrying 379,036 passengers and 163,331 crew members, generating a revenue of approximately 1.89 billion baht, a 6.9% increase from 2023, with growth expected to continue. The top five ports currently handling the most cruise arrivals are
1) Patong Bay (Phuket),
2) Laem Chabang Port (Chonburi),
3) Ko Samui (Surat Thani),
4) Phuket Deep Sea Port, and
5) Sriracha Port (Chonburi). Most cruise travelers to Thailand are from Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, and Germany.
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