Photo of Koh Tao courtesy of Travel Gay

 

Thailand is setting tourism records again in 2025, with Chinese, Malaysian, and South Korean tourists leading the charge. New data from Agoda reveals that Thailand remains a top draw for visitors in the region, with Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket as the most popular stops.

 

However, a rising star in the tourism scene is Hat Yai. Known for its affordability, Hat Yai has become a favourite for budget-conscious travellers, ranking among Asia's top three cheapest destinations for two years running. The city is especially appealing to Malaysian and Singaporean visitors due to its vibrant cultural offerings and easy coastal access.

 

Chinese tourists continue to dominate in numbers, while South Korean visitors’ longer stays are notable, trailed by tourists from Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Agoda highlights distinct preferences:

 

• Koh Tao is a diving haven for travellers from China, Japan, and Singapore.
• Koh Pha Ngan attracts Malaysians with its blend of tranquil beauty and lively nightlife.
• Pathum Thani is becoming a hot spot for South Koreans looking for an authentic Thai experience outside the hustle of Bangkok.

 

In the first half of 2025 alone, Thailand has welcomed approximately 16 million international visitors, generating an impressive 743.58 billion baht (around 16 billion USD) in revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Government initiatives like the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, alongside improved flight connections, are fuelling this continued growth.

 

Meanwhile, Thai travellers are exploring international destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Seoul, in search of new experiences.

 

Akaporn Rodkong, Agoda’s Country Head for Thailand, stated, “We are honoured to be the platform that travellers across Asia trust. We are proud to support tourism in Thailand by offering a variety of accommodation options, making travel easier and more enjoyable for all.”

 

As Thailand enjoys this tourism surge, it remains a vibrant and welcoming destination, enticing travellers with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and an ever-growing list of attractions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-18

 

 

I don't understand one minute tourism is down now there is a surge i think they are extremely optimistic who writes this stuff just ask the locals in the tourists areas and they will tell you the truth 

It's the same every low season. You have agencies, authorities all coming out spelling the end, wild claims that tourism is over and struggles. Government panics and gives agencies mad money. 

 

High season comes and it's back to normal. 

 

TRUTH is they on course to smash nearly 40 million tourists - ALBEIT CHEAP TRASHY TOURISTS. Not quality tourism. 

 

World economic authorities have constantly warned Thailand it must diversify it's economy and not be reliant so much on tourism. It never listens, as it seeks short term gains due to political unrest. 

 

Thailand is obsessed with 'numbers' - so 40 million touirsts, an arbitrary figure is things they like to see. DOesn't matter if they're trashy tourists (eg 6 sex pest men sharing 1 women at a discount rate).

 

If Europe, USA opened their borders like Thailand has done to cheap tourism they would get tourists in the hundreds of millions. 

Confusing every time.. Last week drop in tourists this week a surge...What is true and what can you believe of the Thai News??? I am sure they bend everything to make people feel happy and show how good the Government is... Reality is the opposite or less rosy

One minute nobody is here, next minute everyone is here. Hilarious!

Spin the wheel for todays tourist numbers. Not a brain between all of them.🙃🙃

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Confusing every time.. Last week drop in tourists this week a surge...What is true and what can you believe of the Thai News??? I am sure they bend everything to make people feel happy and show how good the Government is... Reality is the opposite or less rosy

They are like headless chickens - maybe they should try effective data analysis & comprehensive quality surveys of customers/tourists.

2 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

They are like headless chickens - maybe they should try effective data analysis & comprehensive quality surveys of customers/tourists.

Computer says No.🙃🙃

15 hours ago, ozz1 said:

I don't understand one minute tourism is down now there is a surge i think they are extremely optimistic who writes this stuff just ask the locals in the tourists areas and they will tell you the truth 

The Thai TAT propaganda department has difficulty recalling what fake propaganda was released the day before; thus the frequent contradictions.

The numbers are way down, Japan, Vietnam and Malaya are all increasing their tourist numbers. Those 3 countries have a bit more to offer than prostitution, weed and corruption.

It’s 6 months of data. It was high season earlier. It’s slow season now. The doom & gloom videos are clickbait. If the year totals out at 40m or even 30m you can’t scoff at those numbers.

Well if it was low season you can really only go up 🙄

I wish they would actually for once print the number of people arriving and staying in the country for several days or more over a week time period and not people transferring through the airport .

Today it is "Surging" whereas only yesterday it was "Flocking", soon it might grow to "Swamping" or even "Overwhelming" followed by "Invading". Who you going to be today Mr. Ben?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is setting tourism records again in 2025, with Chinese, Malaysian, and South Korean tourists leading the charge. New data from Agoda reveals that Thailand remains a top draw for visitors in the region,

It's up, it's down, it's up again, it's on the slide, it's boom time... what to believe.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, a rising star in the tourism scene is Hat Yai. Known for its affordability,

Kiss that place goodbye then. 

2 hours ago, Martyp said:

It’s 6 months of data. It was high season earlier. It’s slow season now. The doom & gloom videos are clickbait. If the year totals out at 40m or even 30m you can’t scoff at those numbers.

Well considering it was 39 million 6 years ago, I would say a 25% decline was pretty bad...and not forgetting TATs expectations just after covid was 100 million by 2028....can't see that happening 

I thought I read last week the numbers were down now the numbers are up I wish they’d make up their mind

Tourism related agencies and ministries are not in the habit of saying things are bad, ever, no matter where you go.

A nation's bling and marketing must always be shiny. 

 

Certainly isn’t in Pattaya, very quiet.

On 7/19/2025 at 1:52 AM, baansgr said:

The numbers are way down, Japan, Vietnam and Malaya are all increasing their tourist numbers. Those 3 countries have a bit more to offer than prostitution, weed and corruption.

Really, what more is there?