BANGKOK — Thailand’s tourism sector is experiencing strong growth in the final quarter of 2025, with foreign arrivals averaging nearly 100,000 per day and Chinese visitors more than doubling, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Chinese Tourists Double During Golden Week
Nattariya Thaweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, reported that Chinese arrivals surged from under 10,000 to approximately 20,000 daily during the recent Golden Week holiday (Sept. 28–Oct. 6), signaling renewed confidence in Thailand as a premier destination.
“This significant increase reflects restored confidence in our key tourism market and provides a positive economic signal for the year’s final stretch,” Nattariya said.
The tourism rebound is driven by Malaysia and India alongside China, with overall foreign arrivals climbing steadily since late September.
Safety Measures and Events Drive Recovery
The permanent secretary attributed the surge to several factors: enhanced security measures that bolstered international confidence, minimal impact from border situations and flooding on major tourist areas, and continued promotional efforts through world-class sporting events.
Recent attractions included the Women’s Volleyball World Championship, with upcoming events including the 33rd SEA Games in December, Loy Krathong Festival, and New Year countdown celebrations.
Flight Demand Soars
Adith Chairattananon, Secretary-General of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), reported near-capacity bookings on flights from major and secondary Chinese cities, with passenger loads reaching 99%—triple normal levels.
Return fares to China spiked dramatically, with Bangkok-Beijing tickets jumping over 400% from 1,500–2,000 yuan to 4,000–5,800 yuan for Oct. 7–9 departures. Major carriers including China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Air China, and Vietjet reported full bookings.
Strong Fundamentals Support Sustained Growth
Contributing factors include Thailand’s political stability, ASEAN cooperation on cybercrime suppression, and positive Chinese media coverage highlighting Thailand as a safe, high-quality, and welcoming destination.
The influx benefits hotels, restaurants, airlines, and tourism businesses across Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and increasingly secondary cities where Chinese tourist distribution is becoming more evident.
The ministry is also promoting domestic tourism through tax incentives to ensure economic benefits circulate throughout local communities.
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