Tourism Thailand’s Tourism Confidence Dips Amid Economic Challenges

[kaneko86]

Buckle up. The conflict with Cambodia will make tourism plummet to Covid time numbers... 

[JustinTyme]

6 hours ago, atpeace said:

I think everybody can see a relationship in the cherry picked data 🙂 How about going back 15 years and then your premise falls apart.  Tourism was booming when the baht was strong.

So, you do not agree that one way to help kick start tourism is to have a "weak Baht" that provides "more bang for the buck" in terms of exchange rates?  Alrighty Then! You are a genius!!! 

[Pompeygeezer]

14 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Isn't Phumtham the interim prime minister?  

Exactly, the keyword is "interim"  

[norsurin]

Thailand have priced themselves out..and the scams..crimes..etc etc

But they want admit it.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Big news coming tomorrow or the next day, and it will take the unpleasant ultranationalism to even higher levels.

 

Baton down the hatches!

 

[Hawaiian]

9 hours ago, Pompeygeezer said:

Exactly, the keyword is "interim"  

Latest reports are that Trump is negotiating with him about a ceasefire.

[Look Chang]

On 7/26/2025 at 8:48 AM, baansgr said:

Still cheap...same same as 20 years ago..no inflation here unless your are a drinking monger..rents..cheaper, utilities..cheaper, gasoline..cheaper, food... marginally more...best place on Earth 👍 

Where do you live in Isaan ?

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Latest reports are that Trump is negotiating with him about a ceasefire.

 

 

How desperate is he for that Nobel Peace Prize?......he'd start a war to win one.

[Hanuman2547]

That little tiff going on between Thailand and Cambodia certainly doesn't boost confidence in Thailand's security and safety.  Yeah, I know it is far away from the big tourist areas, but negative press doesn't help.  

[JustinTyme]

41 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

That little tiff going on between Thailand and Cambodia certainly doesn't boost confidence in Thailand's security and safety.  Yeah, I know it is far away from the big tourist areas, but negative press doesn't help.  

Agreed! The fighting is 300 KM from Bangkok.  I think that fact is enough to give tourists a reason to just pick one of the dozen vacation spots in the world that are equal to, or better than Thailand.

[englishoak]

1 hour ago, JustinTyme said:

Agreed! The fighting is 300 KM from Bangkok.  I think that fact is enough to give tourists a reason to just pick one of the dozen vacation spots in the world that are equal to, or better than Thailand.

 

Yup, group of 7 including kids have decided  to get an onward straight to to Bali in August  instead so we will be joining them there  ..  As they said, why bother worrying, just go somewhere else not in turmoil atm So thats 10k or so + not going into the Thai economy. Can't say i blame them & quite happy to have  just as nice a time elsewhere for a change ourselves. 

[atpeace]

17 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

So, you do not agree that one way to help kick start tourism is to have a "weak Baht" that provides "more bang for the buck" in terms of exchange rates?  Alrighty Then! You are a genius!!! 

Yep and if you paid for the flights and hotels it would help even more. You are a genius and it is amazing no one has thought of this.  Wicked smart you are!

[mrwebb8825]

On 7/25/2025 at 4:24 AM, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand’s tourism industry is grappling with a slump in confidence, as reported by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), citing safety concerns and cautious spending linked to global economic tensions. The TCT's recent survey reveals a concerning picture, with the tourism confidence index for the second quarter sinking to just 70, a marked decline from 79 last year and a steep drop from pre-pandemic levels of 100.

 

Forecasts for 2023 suggest Thailand will attract only 33.3 million foreign visitors, yielding around 1.75 trillion Thai baht—figures that fall short of last year’s numbers. TCT President Chai Arunanondchai attributes these challenges to a mix of economic and geopolitical factors, including the United States' implementation of a reciprocal tariff policy. This policy has slowed global economic growth to its weakest pace in 16 years and triggered financial anxieties among potential tourists, nudging them towards destinations closer to home.

 

The situation is further aggravated by regional incidents, such as the kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Myanmar and a significant earthquake in March, which have severely impacted Chinese-speaking tourist arrivals, plunging more than 50%. Additionally, ongoing border disputes with Cambodia may trouble tourism in neighbouring provinces during low seasons.

 

Across Thailand’s regions, the tourism confidence index has sunk year-on-year, with the Eastern and Western regions faring relatively better, thanks to tourist influxes from Bangkok. However, even these areas recorded indices of just 78 and 73, respectively.

 

Particularly hit is the entertainment sector, where confidence has fallen to a mere 60 from 73 last year. Tourism operators report revenues are only at 45% of 2019's levels, coupled with hotel occupancy rates declining from 55% to 48%. Although labour shortages are not currently critical, Mr Chai warns they could become problematic if businesses continue to shutter.

 

Despite most businesses—94%—still operating as usual in the second quarter, this is down from 97% earlier in the year. The outlook remains grim, with a forecasted dip in the confidence index to 65 in the third quarter.

 

In response, the TCT has urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand to consider subsidies for bus operators to boost domestic travel, aiming to navigate these turbulent times and rejuvenate the nation's vital tourism sector.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-25

 

 

All they have to do is drop the Baht back to 35THB - $1 for the rest of the yr and tourism will soar. 

[JustinTyme]

On 7/27/2025 at 7:14 PM, mrwebb8825 said:

All they have to do is drop the Baht back to 35THB - $1 for the rest of the yr and tourism will soar. 

Why stop at 35? At 40 to 1$ it pretty much negates Trump's stupid tariffs, and lights tourism on fire for a record year!

[mrwebb8825]

22 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

Why stop at 35? At 40 to 1$ it pretty much negates Trump's stupid tariffs, and lights tourism on fire for a record year!

I was taking it easy on Thailand - "Trump's Stupid Tariffs" stopped the war there asshat. 

[MarkBR]

I am sure flight prices now have a lot to do with the tourist problems