Tourism Decline of Chinese Tourists in Pattaya Raises Concerns

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of South China Morning Post

 

Pattaya, once a favourite destination for Chinese tourists, is experiencing a significant drop in visitors from China, with Japan now emerging as their preferred choice. This shift poses a challenge to Thailand’s tourism industry, which heavily relies on Chinese travellers.

 

Yuttasak Supasorn, former Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has outlined six key reasons behind this trend:

 

1. Economic Slowdown in China: A sluggish economy and tighter travel restrictions for civil servants have led many Chinese tourists to opt for domestic holidays over international trips.
2. Japan's Affordability: The depreciation of the yen against the yuan by 25% since 2022 makes Japan a more affordable option for budget-conscious travellers, while rising costs in Thailand reduce its appeal.
3. Safety Concerns: Japan's reputation for safety contrasts with Thailand's issues related to crime, scams, and infrastructure challenges. Recent high-profile incidents have further damaged Thailand’s image, affecting its safety ranking globally.
4. Flight Connectivity: Direct flights from China to Japan have returned to pre-pandemic levels, vastly outnumbering those to Thailand. The limited flight options to Thailand, often with longer layovers, provide less convenience.
5. Shopping Opportunities: Japan attracts Chinese tourists with tax-free shopping on luxury items and electronics. Thailand mainly offers attractions focused on beaches and food, with fewer luxury shopping options.
6. Niche Tourism Experiences: Japan caters to the demand for unique and personalised travel experiences, appealing to wealthier Chinese tourists. In contrast, Thailand is often viewed as a less sophisticated destination.

 

Yuttasak emphasises that these are significant market shifts requiring immediate action. For Pattaya and the broader Thai tourism sector, the message is urgent: a strategic overhaul is needed to retain and attract high-value tourists. Without changes, Thailand risks losing its competitive edge in the tourism market.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-19

 

 

[ChrisY1]

Now Japan will hate them......as they always have done!

[hotsun]

A concern for some is a cause for celebration for others

[Cornish Pasty]

Thank God they are gone, one less headache.

 

Not that I ever visit that stinkhole but still..

 

Mark.

[ronnie50]

They (TAT) just can't rid themselves of this notion - this fixation - that somehow, with some trick or new announcement - that well-healed and rich tourists will flock here with the right incentives and replace the revenue lost by the drop in mass tourism from China. It's a fantasy. Rich and well-healed international tourists come and go everywhere, all countries, every day. They are not - ever - going to 'flock' to Thailand any more than they 'flock' anywhere else. "Oh look Stanley," said Rachel from the couple's Chicago Lakeshore Drive Penthouse. "The Orxxntal Hotel in Bangkok has a new promotion: 'Come to the OrXXntal and get one night free when staying two nights (in October) and enjoy a free dinner and two free umbrellas.' "Should we book a flight?" Rachel wondered. "I also see this wonderful beach resort Pat-TAY-ya is advertised - it says it has five star resorts near the beach and some place called Soi 6. We could stay there for a week too - it sounds just lovely," Rachel told Stanley as she gazed out her 43rd floor window across Lake Michigan. "October is a good time to get out of Chicagoland, Stanley!"

[candide]

I wouldn't bet that Japan is the reason for the decrease of Chinese tourism in Pattaya...

[John Drake]

A rising decline. Impressive.

[DonniePeverley]

The problem is the introduction of Indian visitors. This is turning away tourists. 

 

Vietnam has visas still for Indian visitors which ensures only quality indian visitors. 

 

The proliferation of open soliciation by indian visitors has destroyed Pattaya. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

The influx of Indians will pick up the slack

[mangkut70]

1 hour ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The influx of Indians will pick up the slack

doubt that. At least not the kind buying one bottle of beer in a 7-Eleven to share it amongst 4 or 5 people.

[DonniePeverley]

9 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The influx of Indians will pick up the slack

 

 

It's a quandry. You let Indians in on mass, no checks or balances, no checking they're not sleeping 10 people to a room, etc - you then turn away quality tourists and Chinese 

[Ralf001]

 

Less tourists can only be a good thing... hopefully more go elsewhere too.

[JimHuaHin]

Whose is concerned?  Most locals and expats and other  tourists are happy with the decline.

[Dmitry2222]

39 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Whose is concerned?  Most locals and expats and other  tourists are happy with the decline.

Locals are driven from requests to come in to total hatred of tourists; this has been repeated over and over again for many years.

[Funkymover]

why ?. they use their own tour guides, own hotels, own restaurants, own supermarkets, 

and watch them in Big C as they buy trolley loads of their own chinese noodles 

[kimothai]

I'm guessing that getting kidnapped isn't on the Chinese bucket list. 

[SOTIRIOS]

...No Mention Of 'Self-Reflection'....

...Then Again...How Could There Be When One Refers To Oneself In The Third Person...(?)

[Mywayboy]

Chinese cook their own rice in the hotel room electric Jug.

[Thingamabob]

Good for Pattaya, not good for Japan. 

[1duckyboy]

Should have read, "Decline of Pattaya Concerns Chinese Tourists".

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This shift poses a challenge to Thailand’s tourism industry, which heavily relies on Chinese travellers.

China has other things on it's mind at the moment, like how to keep the business going, who's running the country and what's the CCP doing.

[wensiensheng]

I doubt that Chinese are choosing Japan in preference to Thailand. The two countries are chalk and cheese. Chinese may well be deciding not to come to Thailand, but that is due to Thailands issues, not because Japan is preferable.

 

Having said that, Japan is an absolute steal now in terms of value for money. Years of low inflation compared to the rest of the world means that it is comparatively cheap.

[harryviking]

Hmmmm....why is it that I do not miss the Chinese......🙄🙄

[QPRFC]

It's simple, it's because Thailand has banned vaping. 

And because bank accounts are being frozen if you can't show a non-immigrant visa. 

And because the THB is too strong. 

And far too many Indians. 

And tour boats sink, zip lines break... 

[riverhigh]

Got to give Yuttasak Supasorn credit for a well thought out list of  six reasons  why Chinese tourism is in the decline. Reasons based on fact not on self serving financial  interests.

[Kenny Boy]

Maybe words got back about the hordes of pot bellied Indians roaming around who hide their wallets under the soap.

[koolkarl]

There are way too many tourists in Thailand especially Chinese.  Several months ago we went for a boat tour off Krabi and

stopped at a small island and we all tried to walk on the beach; there were so many tourists walking on that beach you could not see the sand and I am not exaggerating.  I have zero desire to visit a tourist spot.

[pest]

Vietnam Indonesia Malaysia 

The Chinese are holidaying everywhere 

I was in Perth last year 6 weeks and every person i met in the lobby was Chinese 

Thailand will bounce back you just cant rely on one nation