Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a concerning trend for the tourism sector, airlines have reported a slump in forward bookings for short-haul flights to Thailand, coinciding with the country's ongoing efforts to revitalise its travel industry. The decline contrasts sharply with the robust performance of long-haul markets, revealing a bifurcated recovery landscape.

 

Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, deputy governor of international marketing for Asia and South Pacific at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), acknowledged the difficulties faced in the region. Data from Forwardkeys highlights a significant year-on-year reduction in short-haul bookings between June and December.

Specifically, the Asia and South Pacific regions are down by 22%, equating to 849,034 seats, while Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania have decreased by 16% to 303,325 seats.

 

The East Asia market is particularly challenged, seeing a 25% drop to 528,480 seats, with routes to China experiencing a precipitous 40% fall to 109,676 seats. This trend underscores the slow recovery in the short-haul segment.

 

Despite this, long-haul markets show promise. According to Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas at TAT, Thailand is poised to meet its target of 10.7 million long-haul tourists this year, with 5.5 million arrivals recorded in the first half. Forward bookings for these destinations in the third quarter have already seen a year-on-year increase.

 

However, it's not all sunny skies. Bookings from the Middle East are expected to contract by 9% to 97,246 seats, influenced by geopolitical tensions affecting travel from the region.

 

To counteract these challenges, the TAT is launching a substantial 750-million-baht (approximately £17 million) subsidy programme titled "Summer Blast China & Overseas Market," targeting an additional 790,000 visitors over the next year.

 

Airlines such as Thai Lion Air and Lufthansa Group have expressed interest in the TAT's initiatives. Thai Lion Air is keen to participate, focusing on bolstering its passenger numbers, especially from markets like Indonesia, India, and China. Currently, the airline's Chinese routes are operating with a 60-70% load factor.

 

Lufthansa Group, overseeing operations for Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines, is evaluating the proposal but remains committed to expanding its flight offerings to Thailand during the upcoming high season for European tourists.

 

As stakeholders, including airlines and the TAT, strategise to lure back visitors, Thailand’s tourism narrative continues to evolve, offering both challenges and opportunities for growth.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-09

 

 

I would think that short haul flights between Cambodia and Thailand would be very busy now with the land borders being closed. 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a concerning trend for the tourism sector, airlines have reported a slump in forward bookings for short-haul flights to Thailand, coinciding with the country's ongoing efforts to revitalise its travel industry. The decline contrasts sharply with the robust performance of long-haul markets, revealing a bifurcated recovery landscape.

Not many years ago Thailand was the place to visit from neighbouring countries...

Now it has lost it's place due to lack of infrastructure improvements, a very poor safety record, scams, taxi wars and increasing costs.

Many neighbours now have better things to do at home or elsewhere, while Thailand still churns out the same old stuff... many want more than a Sin city.

1 hour ago, AAArdvark said:

I would think that short haul flights between Cambodia and Thailand would be very busy now with the land borders being closed. 

 

I doubt that. We are in the low season, and Cambodia isn't a major player in tourism, if you take away 2/3-day visits to Angkor Wat.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Not many years ago Thailand was the place to visit from neighbouring countries...

Now it has lost it's place due to lack of infrastructure improvements, a very poor safety record, scams, taxi wars and increasing costs.

Many neighbours now have better things to do at home or elsewhere, while Thailand still churns out the same old stuff... many want more than a Sin city.

 

I agree,

 

Vietnam and Malaysia offer far better value for money if you are not in Asia solely for the nightlife.

 

As others have pointed out here, Thailand isn't keeping pace with the times and is producing regurgitated entertainment.

 

Those working in brothels offer poor value for money at extortionate prices.

 

That, coupled with a poor safety record, increasing scams, and, of course, Thailand is no longer cheap and no longer represents value for money within the region.

 

I don't spend much in Thailand anymore, as I feel it's a rip-off.

 

The best offerings are still value-for-money hotels, but they are creeping up; once they reach parity with European standards, there will be nothing left.

19 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I agree,

 

Vietnam and Malaysia offer far better value for money if you are not in Asia solely for the nightlife.

 

 

absolutly true  !!!!! 555  but when i read the internet ,nobody come here for s...x and nightlife, and only have womans from the farm 555..i think i am outstanding from the crowed in 30 years thailand, enjoying nightlife and s,,,,,,

No worries they'll just up the prices, like the clowns normally do. Then even less people will fly, typical moronic Thai logic. 🤣😅😡

With a short-haul flight, you cannot escape the miserable monsoon season weather, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that this isn't a popular time for regional tourism.

On 7/10/2025 at 8:23 AM, AAArdvark said:

I would think that short haul flights between Cambodia and Thailand would be very busy now with the land borders being closed. 

maybe if you absolutely must work; however, depends on the job.  probably too expensive to fly all the time.  And all potential tourists just went to zero.  Both ways.

 

Most people I meet doing a border run don't look like the type to just hop in a taxi and head to the airport.    Maybe they say the same thing about me.