BANGKOK — Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Seoul Office, Pattanapong Pongthongcharoen, revealed on Friday that TAT aims to attract more than 2 million Korean tourists to Thailand in 2025, up from an estimated 1.94 million in 2024, which represents a 20% increase from 2023.
Data from the first six months of 2024 showed over 900,000 Korean tourists visiting Thailand, indicating higher numbers than the previous year’s first half. The expected increase to 1.94 million this year surpasses the levels seen in 2019.
Korean tourists consider Thailand their top destination due to its rich culture and beloved cuisine. Popular flavors, such as spicy and intense tastes, appeal to Korean palates, contributing to a 20% increase in Korean arrivals.
He stated that the growth is also influenced by social media influencers and online reviews. Many Korean tourists specifically choose to visit Chiang Mai, inspired by K-pop idols like Seventeen and (G)I-DLE, who have filmed music videos there, attracting enthusiastic Korean fans to Thailand.
Pattanapong explained that many travelers leaving Korea are young adults, specifically between the ages of 20 and 40. This group makes up 30-40% of all outbound travelers from Korea, contributing to around 28 million people globally.
In response, the TAT Seoul Office, in collaboration with tourism partners, is considering promotions or campaigns to attract this demographic.
Despite current trends indicating Thai tourists’ reluctance to visit South Korea due to inconvenience and the risk of entry denial, this does not affect South Korean tourists’ sentiment towards visiting Thailand.
Therefore, the Seoul office plans to stimulate travel during July and August by increasing chartered flights to potential destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.
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