Tourism Cambodia Outshines Thailand in Race for Chinese Tourists

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

In an intriguing twist in Southeast Asia’s tourism landscape, Cambodia is emerging as a significant contender for Chinese holidaymakers, leaving Thailand trailing in its wake. Central to this success is Cambodia's strategic designation of 2025 as the "China-Cambodia Tourism Year," a move already yielding remarkable returns. Just last week, Phnom Penh welcomed a landmark arrival of 1,000 Chinese tourists from Wuxi, marking a significant milestone in reshaping regional tourism dynamics.

 

While Thailand grapples with dwindling numbers of Chinese visitors, attributed largely to negative press surrounding tourist scams and issues, Cambodia has adeptly positioned itself as a budget-friendly, hassle-free haven. This allure arises from its transparent visa policies. Although Cambodia does not offer visa-free entries like Thailand, its US$39 e-visa is lauded for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, with overall travel expenses remaining notably lower.

 

Adding to Cambodia's appeal is the promise of enhanced infrastructure with the upcoming Techo International Airport. Slated to open in September, this US$1.5 billion mega-structure, operated by French conglomerate VINCI, is set to become one of the world's largest airports. It is designed to accommodate the largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-800, and will soon be launching direct long-haul routes from Europe and other continents, potentially reshaping the region’s connectivity.

 

Cambodia's tourism sector has already experienced a buoyant start to 2025, with 2.4 million international visitors in the first four months—marking a 14% rise from the previous year. Chinese arrivals have surged by 49%, underscoring the effectiveness of strategic efforts to cater to this high-potential market. In addition to Chinese tourists, the UK and France are leading European source markets.

 

To further bolster tourism during its traditionally quieter months, Cambodia has rebranded its rainy season (April to October) as the "Green Season." This clever marketing campaign focuses on promoting the country's natural beauty, tranquillity, and cooler climate, appealing to travellers seeking off-peak experiences.

 

With its straightforward visa process, competitive travel costs, and strategic marketing paired with significant infrastructural advancements, Cambodia is staking its claim as a new tourism darling in Southeast Asia. While Thailand strives to recover its faltering reputation, Cambodia’s effective measures and ambitious plans may see it solidify its position as a preferred destination for Chinese tourists and beyond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-29

 

 

[connda]

So is that why there was a Thai/Cambodian firefight on the border yesterday?

[Jedi888]

See the book "pigs on the loose". Cners are CHEAP. Why does everyone keep talking about this worst class of tourist! These are the LOW spenders, bad etiquette etc. Like wtf who cares!

Idiot tourism boards always talking about the worst spectrum of non spenders, retards at work.

[norsurin]

Thailand still don't got it.The article says it costs 39$ to get a e-visa to Cambodia.That dollars u get back already when u enter a hotel or a bar because its much cheaper then the overpriced Thailand with the sick high thai baht.

And what about tourists safety?What about dual pricing?What about the street fighting in Phuket and Pattaya?

What about the scams?Taximafia all over Thailand.I took a taxi from BKK to hua-hin and the driver used his private car because of the taxi mafia in hua-hin.What about all the property foreigner loosing in Thailand?What about the frozen accounts that just happened in Bangkok bank.. the rest banks will follow soon.I had a account in Thailand years ago and when i arrived Bangkok it was closed.I only lost about 1500 baht but it irritated me.I had a prepaid thai number on AIS.I had about 1800 baht in balance.Now its gone because they cancelled my number last month and i want get the money back.Of course there is positive things about Thailand but they pricing themselves out compared to neighbor countries.

[JoePai]

"Up to them"     🤣

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm… excellent news , hope it continues

[Muhendis]

Well done Cambodia. Keep up the good work.

[Khun Loong]

Cambodia's lose, Thailand's gain.

[spidermike007]

Perhaps instead of spending a lot of money on these inane promotions they're actually doing something to make themselves a better version of themselves. Something that Thailand would never even consider in a million years, because they have no ability to look within for the source of the problem and introspect. 

[sandrew33]

These are the package Chinese tourist that nobody wants. All Chinese owned and paid and little money to local economy. 
 

That Cambodia would allow itself to bent over some more by the Chinese for the inevitable sole benefit of the ruling family is no surprise and should be of zero interest or concern to Thailand. 
 

Cambodia has vastly less tourism infrastructure and they are targeting the budget tourists, maybe they can take some of the similar group of Indian tourists too? 🙂 

 

 

[NorthernRyland]

Maybe all the Indians in Thailand scared them off?

[howlee101]

Definitely a positive thing for Thailand. Good riddance IMO 

[blaze master]

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps instead of spending a lot of money on these inane promotions they're actually doing something to make themselves a better version of themselves. Something that Thailand would never even consider in a million years, because they have no ability to look within for the source of the problem and introspect. 

 

They're going to build casinos though.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

While Thailand strives to recover its faltering reputation

That's the point.

Without improving safety on roads, end of bribing, less corruption, and of misused visas, fair prices.....it will be hard or even impossible.

[spidermike007]

7 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

They're going to build casinos though.

Look at what happened in Cambodia, when casinos were approved. Billions of dollars flowed in for construction money and then the next government outlawed them, same would happen in Thailand no doubt. 

 

 

[factual monk]

Only punters I see in Pattaya and Phuket... 

[RandolphGB]

Karma's a b*tch. 

 

Scamming tourists, taxi mafia, arresting a Chinese vlogger for her video, kidnapping gangs for call centers, endlessly ripping off Chinese tourists , non-existent health and safety, corrupt police... it all catches up.

 

You know when even the Chinese are looking down on you, something is seriously rotten. 

 

The funny thing is that Thais cannot see beyond their own noses. They will never accept they are wrong. 

[SanSaiExPat]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

"Up to them"     🤣

"Up to them"?  It's not quite as "Thaithentic" as "Up to you".  But, It'll due.   555

[Patong2021]

Everyone is so eager to criticize Thailand, that they did not look at the tourism data and are missing the big picture.

 

Cambodia has historically done well in the  first quarter, and then tails off during the year.  Cambodia is not outshining anyone.  The data speaks for itself;   2024 Chinese visitors  Cambodia  850, 000   v. Thailand 6,200,000 (6.73 million  according to some Chinese sources ( https://english.news.cn/20250209/d7431a710b2a4ef28f2a798b16fcbd39/c.html)

 

Yes, the 2025 numbers are  down for Thailand.  Yes, more Chinese visitors are going to  Cambodia. BUT, but the increase is nothing to  celebrate or to get excited about.

 

Hun Dany, a secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Tourism, said Cambodia is expected to attract more than 1 million Chinese tourists in 2025.  Yes, it is a large increase for Cambodia, but it it is still a small number.

https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/0408/c90000-20299026.html#:~:text=Cambodia is expected to attract,year increase of 55 percent.

 

The Chinese are not traveling  as much as they used to. And the Chinese  who do travel are looking for a different experience. The hot destinations are Japan, South Korea and  Europe.  Europe is like visiting 4 destinations at once, Africa,  SE Asia, the Middle East and  old Europe.

 

 

1 hour ago, bbbbooboo said:

hmmm… excellent news , hope it continues

The loss of revenue will be collected from other visitors through extra charges and increased costs, so , not excellent news.

 

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

Well done Cambodia. Keep up the good work.

What good work? The Chinese are not swarming Cambodia.

 

46 minutes ago, howlee101 said:

Definitely a positive thing for Thailand. Good riddance IMO 

How do you propose replacing the revenue and and will you take care of the workers who depend on the Chinese tourists?

 

[GanDoonToonPet]

Remember the story of the Chinese tourist, who was extorted by the police for vaping, that went viral in China?

 

There are about 300 million smokers in China with vaping becoming more popular by the day. If only 10% of those switched to vapes then that is a potential 30 million tourists that Thailand has lost due to it's idiotic, draconian, protectionist anti-vaping laws; just another nail in the coffin.

[Burma Bill]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Cambodia has adeptly positioned itself as a budget-friendly, hassle-free haven.

 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

With its straightforward visa process,

 

For reference - please note above. 2 reasons why I left Thailand 5 years ago after 20 years in Thailand. No more bureaucratic paperwork, no strict monetary requirements or 90 day reports for a retirement visa. One does not even have to visit an Immigration Office, just an approved visa agent.

 

Cambodia has rebranded its rainy season (April to October) as the "Green Season."

 

This is being well promoted here, especially the mountain area in Mondulkiri Province in the north of the country

 

 

Even here in Siem Reap, an extensive forest project has been completed at the Angkor Botanical Garden.

 

 

Being a country bumpkin, these all suit me however I do appreciate there are those of you sex pats whose life revolves around a condo, beer bar with your favourite bar stool and the company of young Thai prostitutes - yuck!! It is all a matter of personal choice.

[J Branche]

So it can't be Post Covid the X percent of the Chinese interested have mostly visted.

CNY Yuan lost 10.6% against the Baht in value YOY VS. 1.5% loss against RIEL vs  +1.8% for the Viet Currency.  Rainy Season has started.  Etc.

 

I'm not the smartest tool but definitely wouldn't go to Thailand if I didn't already live here with the currency manipulation that has been going on.

[Burma Bill]

37 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Look at what happened in Cambodia, when casinos were approved. Billions of dollars flowed in for construction money and then the next government outlawed them, same would happen in Thailand no doubt. 

 

 

 

With the greatest respect, casinos were never outlawed, only Cambodian citizens from playing in them.  There has only been one Government in Cambodia - Hun Sen's Cambodian Peoples Party.

There are many such unfinished buildings in Sihanoukville, the result of the original Covid restrictions.

[riverhigh]

Sign of the times. As China is now the undisputed economic power house in the region, it comes to no surprise that South East Asian countries are fighting for this lucrative market. Go to the Ratchadamari Big C or Siam Pharmacy in Bangkok and both places are swarming with Chinese tourists buying stuff to take home. 10,000+ baht purchases the norm. Unfortunately as a westerner this makes us less important. 

[Yagoda]

6 hours ago, norsurin said:

because its much cheaper then the overpriced Thailand with the sick high thai baht.

Its not much cheaper in Cambodia.

 

24 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

What good work? The Chinese are not swarming Cambodia.

Well the dodgier ones are. Gratuities are cheaper here and always available

 

21 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

This is being well promoted here, especially the mountain area in Mondulkiri Province in the north of the country

A few road repairs and there is your next Eco tourism hotspot.

 

Apocryphal, but at the stoners table here in Siem (location provided by PM), at least half of the backpackers I hung with this last season were heading out there.

23 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Even here in Siem Reap, an extensive forest project has been completed at the Angkor Botanical Garden.

One of the most fabulous free city  attractions in the World. Yo Burma did you go there for the Orchid Month? Unbeleivable.

[jippytum]

Thailand is left with the Chineese Scammers and extortionists. 

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Cambodia Outshines Thailand in Race for Chinese Tourists

 

from an Aseannow article last Monday:

 

Quote

Cambodia Named Global Epicentre of Cybercrime in Alarming Report

A damning new report has labelled Cambodia the heart of what may now be the world’s most powerful criminal network — a booming cybercrime empire driven by Chinese organised crime and thriving under state protection.

 

...just idly contemplating causes and effects...

[Enzian]

18 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

7 hours ago, norsurin said:

 

Its not much cheaper in Cambodia.

I was in Phnom Penh earlier this year, and generally the difference is not phenomenal, but it is notable. Personally I don't gaf about saving a few bucks here and there, but the thing that stood out was imported spirits, similar to prices in Europe and the US, or lower. Which just went to show me that the outlandish prices we pay in Thailand really are as rigged as we've always assumed.

[portisaacozzy]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of China Daily

 

In an intriguing twist in Southeast Asia’s tourism landscape, Cambodia is emerging as a significant contender for Chinese holidaymakers, leaving Thailand trailing in its wake. Central to this success is Cambodia's strategic designation of 2025 as the "China-Cambodia Tourism Year," a move already yielding remarkable returns. Just last week, Phnom Penh welcomed a landmark arrival of 1,000 Chinese tourists from Wuxi, marking a significant milestone in reshaping regional tourism dynamics.

 

While Thailand grapples with dwindling numbers of Chinese visitors, attributed largely to negative press surrounding tourist scams and issues, Cambodia has adeptly positioned itself as a budget-friendly, hassle-free haven. This allure arises from its transparent visa policies. Although Cambodia does not offer visa-free entries like Thailand, its US$39 e-visa is lauded for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, with overall travel expenses remaining notably lower.

 

Adding to Cambodia's appeal is the promise of enhanced infrastructure with the upcoming Techo International Airport. Slated to open in September, this US$1.5 billion mega-structure, operated by French conglomerate VINCI, is set to become one of the world's largest airports. It is designed to accommodate the largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-800, and will soon be launching direct long-haul routes from Europe and other continents, potentially reshaping the region’s connectivity.

 

Cambodia's tourism sector has already experienced a buoyant start to 2025, with 2.4 million international visitors in the first four months—marking a 14% rise from the previous year. Chinese arrivals have surged by 49%, underscoring the effectiveness of strategic efforts to cater to this high-potential market. In addition to Chinese tourists, the UK and France are leading European source markets.

 

To further bolster tourism during its traditionally quieter months, Cambodia has rebranded its rainy season (April to October) as the "Green Season." This clever marketing campaign focuses on promoting the country's natural beauty, tranquillity, and cooler climate, appealing to travellers seeking off-peak experiences.

 

With its straightforward visa process, competitive travel costs, and strategic marketing paired with significant infrastructural advancements, Cambodia is staking its claim as a new tourism darling in Southeast Asia. While Thailand strives to recover its faltering reputation, Cambodia’s effective measures and ambitious plans may see it solidify its position as a preferred destination for Chinese tourists and beyond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-29

 

 

TAT year budget for 2024/5 . 17.7 BILLION, 10% increase from 2023/24. which managed to decrease the nomber of tourist by 10.9 

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

How do you propose replacing the revenue and and will you take care of the workers who depend on the Chinese tourists?

Thailand has a mixed economy with the major economic sectors being agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, service and natural resources. In 2022, the tourism sector directly contributed around 2.78% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in Thailand. 

In 2021 the economy of Thailand was dependent on exports, which accounted for about 58% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021.

Tourism is a low-value sector while exports (manufacturing, agriculture) are higher value sectors of the economy.

Thailand might better advance its economy by shifting part of its tourism industry through training, mechanization and industrialization aimed towards higher value sectors. But a decade of post-2013 Thai governments have seemed too often incapable of making such a commitment.