Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A major corporate tourism initiative titled Magic 2025 is currently underway at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani, as Thailand looks to attract a record number of Indian visitors this year. Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with India’s Zebra Events & Exhibition Pvt. Ltd., the event runs from 11 to 15 April and welcomes 10,000 Indian direct marketing sales representatives.

 

The programme, which promotes Thailand as a premier destination for high-spending corporate travellers, includes training on lifestyle and tourism products. Police Major General Pongsayam Meekhanthong, Deputy Commissioner of the Tourist Police, welcomed participants at the official opening ceremony held at Challenger Hall.

 

Part of TAT’s wider efforts to position Thailand as a top-tier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) hub, Magic 2025 is seen as a strategic move to expand the corporate tourism market and enhance long-term tourism spending.

 

India is now one of Thailand’s most vital tourism markets, with a record-breaking 2.1 million Indian arrivals recorded in 2024. Between 1 January and 9 April 2025, Thailand has already welcomed 597,709 Indian tourists, over two-thirds of whom were first-time visitors. Independent travellers made up 75.2% of arrivals, while 24.8% visited as part of organised tour groups.

 

Indian tourists travel to Thailand for a range of reasons, from leisure and business to weddings and special celebrations. Travel peaks during India’s major holiday seasons, especially January to February and December, with significant numbers arriving from northern and northeastern states.

 

Popular Thai destinations among Indian travellers include Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani, each catering to diverse groups such as families, millennial tourists, wellness enthusiasts, golf holidaymakers, honeymooners, and emerging demographics like solo women travellers, senior citizens, and adventure tourists.

 

During the Songkran period, participants in Magic 2025 are also taking part in the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, supporting the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign.

 

Thailand’s appeal to the Indian market is buoyed by a number of favourable factors. India’s rising population, coupled with evolving consumer trends that favour lifestyle spending and frequent overseas travel, has significantly contributed to increased interest in Thailand.

 

A major facilitator has been the 60-day visa exemption for Indian tourists, which came into effect on 15 July 2024. This policy has simplified entry procedures and opened the door for more high-quality, repeat visitors.

 

With this supportive landscape, TAT has set an ambitious target of welcoming 2.3 million Indian visitors in 2025, aiming to generate tourism revenue of 101.6 billion baht.

 

-- 2025-04-15

 

No no no - please no

13 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Popular Thai destinations among Indian travellers include Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani,

I went to Krabi last week for the first time. Huge number of Indians. It's not even Thailand anymore just a tourist ghetto. All of these locations need to be avoided if you ask me. Thai people clearly avoid them too. 

Please don't let em to destroy Thailand as they did to the beautiful islands of Fiji.

1 hour ago, bdenner said:

Please don't let em to destroy Thailand as they did to the beautiful islands of Fiji.

have you seen what they did to India? That's the real crime.

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A major facilitator has been the 60-day visa exemption for Indian tourists, which came into effect on 15 July 2024. This policy has simplified entry procedures and opened the door for more high-quality, repeat visitors.

But will they now have to apply for the digital TM6 equivalent?

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

includes training on lifestyle and tourism products.

Not to gob on the street, take a dump anywhere, and Pattaya's 'tourism products' 555

 I recently visited Pattaya after many years and was shocked by the way they are taking over.  If I had wanted to be pushed out of the way by Indian families I would have gone to Leicester or Birmingham.