Thai Tourism Grapples with Declining Chinese Visitors

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Kasikorn Research Centre

 

In the rapidly evolving world of tourism, Thailand once basked in the glory of hosting over 10 million Chinese visitors annually. Yet, troubling trends have disrupted this golden age, casting a shadow over future prospects. At the heart of the decline are pressing concerns over safety and perceived inefficiencies in law enforcement, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).

 

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the president of Atta, poignantly remarks on the missed growth opportunities over the past four years. While nations like China, Japan, and Vietnam have vigorously updated and expanded their tourist offerings, Thailand has remained anchored to its existing, albeit charming, resources without refreshing its appeal or infrastructure.

 

The stagnation is compounded by a prevailing sense of insecurity among potential Chinese visitors. "We're sticking to the old resources and not maintaining or improving them," Mr Sisdivachr says.

 

Present challenges are only exacerbated by the abundant negative sentiment pervading Chinese social media, where cyber scam woes discourage many potential tourists from exploring Thai shores.

 

Optimism surrounding the return to pre-2019 visitor numbers, which once soared to 10 million Chinese tourists, fades unless Thailand can rapidly assure these travellers of their safety. Sisdivachr remains sceptical of meeting even the more modest target of 8 million Chinese arrivals this year, expecting closer to 7 million, mirroring figures slightly above the 2024 forecast.

 

The lack of substantial growth in Chinese tourism is likely to impact Thailand's overall foreign arrival targets. Government forecasts aiming for 39 million arrivals seem increasingly ambitious with these challenges at the forefront.

 

Ambitiously, the government has floated the concept of new entertainment complexes, including casinos, as a tourist draw. Yet, Sisdivachr voices his caution, highlighting potential pitfalls such as gambling-related issues among visitors and risks of money laundering without regulatory vigilance.

 

Instead, he suggests careful implementation with perhaps only a few strategic locations, namely in Bangkok and other key tourist hotspots, where infrastructure is ripe for such developments.

 

As Thailand looks forward to its next general election in 2027, he advocates for tourism to be front and centre in economic discussions, lamenting its absence in previous campaigns.

 

Thailand stands at a crossroads, where the intricate balance of refreshing its offerings and ensuring security can shape the future of its tourism industry.

 

As the country navigates these challenges, the past four years serve as a potent reminder of the importance of innovation and vigilance in maintaining its status as a premier travel destination, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-14

 

 

[JoePai]

Don't worry, tomorrow TAT will tell us all the number from China is increasing by a million %

[Pouatchee]

Next up in the news, thailand sees record in chinese arrivals with billions of bht spent in zero tour groups. New all time records set

[ukrules]

Chinese tourists will come when instructed to do so by their lords and masters.

 

They are wielded as a weapon.

 

Some Uyghur deportations here, an unofficial police station somewhere else and before you know it the flood gates are opened again.

But only once they bend the knee and provide whatever it is that's being demanded will the tourists flow.

[connda]

"Psst - build casinos.  Build them and they will come."  <laughs>

[connda]

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China?  <headshake>

[Ohyesuare]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China?  <headshake>

 

Thailand has no borders with China.

[Gknrd]

Smart Chinese, they see no value in Thailand either.

[proton]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China?  <headshake>

 

It's not all Chinese, Taiwanese and original HK people are fine, the mainland tourists are often rude, loud, bad mannered and disrespectful, the less of them the better.

 

 

 

[atpeace]

1 minute ago, proton said:

 

It's not all Chinese, Taiwanese and original HK people are fine, the mainland tourists are often rude, loud, bad mannered and disrespectful, the less of them the better.

 

 

 

And you would think the minority of Europeans would have fewer embarrassing moments. It's amazing the sheer volume of westerners making arses of themselves compered to the Chinese.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

20 minutes ago, connda said:

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China?  <headshake>

 

One does not make a contingent.  

[John Drake]

A couple of days ago the report was that Chinese by the millions were coming.

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Don't worry, tomorrow TAT will tell us all the number from China is increasing by a million %

Fairly sure they did a couple of days ago.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

A couple of days ago the report was that Chinese by the millions were coming.

Beat me to it. Just propaganda meant for those with no brains. MNM is also very adept at this.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The lack of substantial growth in Chinese tourism is likely to impact Thailand's overall foreign arrival targets.

Great news for anyone that loves Thailand. The horde destroyed Maya Bay and ruined Koh Larn.

 

I for one will not regret if the number of Chinese tourists returns to that in the 1990s, which IMO was the golden age of tourism in Thailand.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, connda said:

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China?  <headshake>

We don't hate Chinese in China, just the ones in Thailand.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, connda said:

to spew vitriol at the CPC

Ask a Tibetan if they love the CPC. IMO the CPC deserves all the vitriol it gets.

[SillySam]

7 hours ago, connda said:

Couldn't get through this without the China-hating contingent of AseanNow showing up to spew vitriol at the CPC and average Chinese in general.  Where do you people come from?  Why live in a country that borders China? 

 

We don't hate the Chinese.  We just hate the way they behave.  If they stopped shouting, and pushing, and cutting in line, and spitting, we would stop complaining.

 

Thailand has no border with China btw.