File photo for reference only

 

Thailand recently celebrated a landmark achievement, welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024, marking a historic first for the country. This milestone was highlighted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) during the "Asean-India Forum," held in Bangkok from July 22 to 25. The event, themed "Journey of Opportunities: Ignite Indian Travel to Asean," aimed to strengthen tourism ties and foster new partnerships.

 

The forum brought together distinguished guests, including Nagesh Singh, the Indian Ambassador to Thailand, alongside representatives from Malaysia and other ASEAN nations. The gathering emphasised the growing bond between Thailand and India, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing travel experiences.

 

Pattaronong Na Chiangmai, TAT's Deputy Governor for International Marketing, expressed optimism about the trajectory of this relationship. "In 2024, Thailand welcomed over 2 million Indian tourists for the first time, placing India among our top three inbound markets," he stated. This achievement underscores the importance of Indian travellers to Thailand's tourism sector and highlights the increased interest in ASEAN destinations.

 

Thailand's allure continues to draw Indian travellers, complementing the popularity of fellow ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, these destinations ranked among the top choices for Indian tourists, illustrating a broader trend of regional exploration.

 

Santosh Kumar, head of the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia at Booking.com, shared insights into Indian travel tendencies. "Indians are enthusiastic travellers who are willing to invest money and efforts to have transformative experiences," he noted. This attitude is reshaping how tourism providers approach the market, offering tailored experiences to meet diverse interests.

 

The success of attracting over 2 million Indian tourists has set a benchmark for Thailand's tourism strategy. Hospitality businesses are encouraged to leverage value-added deals and last-minute promotions to entice visitors. Such strategies can enhance Thailand's appeal, solidifying its status as a preferred destination.

 

Moreover, the focus on crafting personalised travel experiences allows for cultural and leisurely pursuits that align with travellers' interests, positioning Thailand as a versatile and enticing choice. By understanding these needs, the tourism industry can further enhance its offerings and ensure sustained interest from Indian tourists.

 

The surge in Indian tourists reflects broader travel trends and cultural exchanges between Thailand and India. By fostering connections through forums like the Asean-India event, both countries can anticipate continued growth in tourism numbers. Such collaborations pave the way for economic benefits and cultural understanding, enriching the experiences of travellers and local communities alike.

 

Thailand's achievement is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted marketing and meaningful partnerships. As Thailand continues to innovate and adapt to changing travel landscapes, the country is well-positioned to maintain its status as a top destination for Indian tourists and beyond.

 

In summary, the milestone of welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists is a significant moment for Thailand, indicative of the strength of ASEAN-Indian travel bonds and the opportunities they present. As this vibrant relationship evolves, the focus remains on enhancing tourist experiences and fostering cultural exchanges, promising an exciting future for both nations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-04

 

I wonder what Thai people think of this

Woo betide us if they let this lot destroy Thailand as they did to the once beautiful nation of Fiji and many other countries world wide.

6 minutes ago, chawbdurian said:

I wonder what Thai people think of this

 

In Canada people are souring very quickly to them. I imagine Thai wont be much different. 

53 minutes ago, bdenner said:

Woo betide us if they let this lot destroy Thailand as they did to the once beautiful nation of Fiji and many other countries world wide.

 

The Indians were laborers, bought to Fiji by the British for the plantations (sound familiar)...and just happened to be smarter and more energetic than the Fijians...much as the Indians have done on Lower Sukhumvit...can't help it if they are hungrier and given an open door...

Welp. Time to go then, fun while it lasted

6 minutes ago, DLock said:

 

The Indians were laborers, bought to Fiji by the British for the plantations (sound familiar)...and just happened to be smarter and more energetic than the Fijians...much as the Indians have done on Lower Sukhumvit...can't help it if they are hungrier and given an open door...

Not withstanding they are destroying the culture they invade not assimilating but devouring!!

1 hour ago, chawbdurian said:

I wonder what Thai people think of this

The Tourist Authority of Thailand, and the Government in general, can't make up their minds about what kind of tourists they want. Sure, there are some/many rich Indians, but the vast majority of that 2 million arrivals figure are your typical developing country lower class (spending) tourists. The same is probably true for many of the Russian tourists here - the rich ones stand out - but they sure aren't the majority. Both countries come here looking for a cheap holiday and, for some/many, cheap booze and cheap available sex. The same can be said for many Europeans, Brits, etc., - while some are rich, most aren't. You only need to read the weekly punch-ups in Pattaya and Phuket to see the reality of who comes here (in general). Thailand will never transition to a holiday destination for the rich and famous - because there aren't enough of them to make much money from. Thailand is a country of more than 70 million  - it's not some little Caribbean island of 200,000 inhabitants that can survive off the spending of some 1 million well-healed tourists annually. 

3 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

In Canada people are souring very quickly to them. I imagine Thai wont be much different. 

Many Indians were using Canada's relatively easy access to education visas, then skipping 90% of their classes to work almost full-time (under the old visa they were allowed to work, but it was supposed to be secondary to the education). Bogus 'colleges' popped up over 10+ years or so to take advantage of this loophole - I know a teacher who worked in one of them and it had the title of 'university' - and as if to underline the scam, this friend was able teach at this 'university' with only a Master's degree, not a PhD, and knew full well the 'students' were there to work, not study. The rules have been changed now, and many of these bogus colleges are winding up because they can't survive without the foreign student tuition fees. Whenever there's a workaround or a loophole - like easy immigration or visa-free tourism for people from dodgy countries - millions will jump through it.

3 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Many Indians were using Canada's relatively easy access to education visas, then skipping 90% of their classes to work almost full-time (under the old visa they were allowed to work, but it was supposed to be secondary to the education). Bogus 'colleges' popped up over 10+ years or so to take advantage of this loophole - I know a teacher who worked in one of them and it had the title of 'university' - and as if to underline the scam, this friend was able teach at this 'university' with only a Master's degree, not a PhD, and knew full well the 'students' were there to work, not study. The rules have been changed now, and many of these bogus colleges are winding up because they can't survive without the foreign student tuition fees. Whenever there's a workaround or a loophole - like easy immigration or visa-free tourism for people from dodgy countries - millions will jump through it.

 

Many never even went to *school* at all. Good to hear the bogus schools are closing up. 

7 hours ago, DLock said:

 

The Indians were laborers, bought to Fiji by the British for the plantations (sound familiar)...and just happened to be smarter and more energetic than the Fijians...much as the Indians have done on Lower Sukhumvit...can't help it if they are hungrier and given an open door...

The same reason why the Chinese have dominated Thailand for the last century in every facet of Thai society 

How many of them actually leave when their visa term expires?

6 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

How many of them actually leave when their visa term expires?

Good morning sir. How are you today sir? A suit for you today sir.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Many Indians were using Canada's relatively easy access to education visas, then skipping 90% of their classes to work almost full-time (under the old visa they were allowed to work, but it was supposed to be secondary to the education). Bogus 'colleges' popped up over 10+ years or so to take advantage of this loophole - I know a teacher who worked in one of them and it had the title of 'university' - and as if to underline the scam, this friend was able teach at this 'university' with only a Master's degree, not a PhD, and knew full well the 'students' were there to work, not study. The rules have been changed now, and many of these bogus colleges are winding up because they can't survive without the foreign student tuition fees. Whenever there's a workaround or a loophole - like easy immigration or visa-free tourism for people from dodgy countries - millions will jump through it.

Why would a PhD be required to teach? During my academic career in the UK, many of my colleagues didn’t have PhDs—some didn’t even hold a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree. In fact, several of my PhD students were more academically qualified than the deputy head of the department.

Just now, falangUK said:

Why would a PhD be required to teach? During my academic career in the UK, many of my colleagues didn’t have PhDs—some didn’t even hold a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree. In fact, several of my PhD students were more academically qualified than the deputy head of the department.

well as a MS graduate student I taught the under graduate first semester and second semester algebra, pre calculus and differential calculus classes at University of Massachusetts.  PhD really is needed to teach more advanced maths and physics and engineering.  No MS level person is really qualified to teach advanced calculus, say the topics in Kaplan's classic text or Partial Differentials, or so many other courses

Welcoming 2 million tourists, I wonder if they all left?

This is good to hear.....I cant find a Indian restaurant any where in Pattaya....I hope one will now be opening soon.

14 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

I wonder what Thai people think of this

I think you know 

6 hours ago, BayArea said:

The same reason why the Chinese have dominated Thailand for the last century in every facet of Thai society 

Well, here in south Surin we know from experience that if you want a really high-class service at a reasonable price - whether doctor or builder or other technician - you look for a Chinese Thai (usually 2nd or 3rd or 4th generation).

And they are all walking down Pattaya's roads arm in arm.

I'm not sure it's good news 😳

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Authority of Thailand (TAT) during the "Asean-India Forum," held in Bangkok from July 22 to 25. The event, themed "Journey of Opportunities: Ignite Indian Travel to Asean," aimed to strengthen tourism ties and foster new partnerships.

A bit like the Russian invasion... reap what you sow.

17 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

And they are all walking down Pattaya's roads arm in arm.

Yes!!

35 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

This is good to hear.....I cant find a Indian restaurant any where in Pattaya....I hope one will now be opening soon.

Follow your nose soon, as the waft of "nam Plaa" slowly subsides, and makes way for something more aromatic

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

welcoming over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024

I don't mind the Indians.

 

Apart from walking in the middle of the road, most are respectful, you say good morning, they'll give you a happy hello, not like some of the foreigners, Arabs etc., these guys can be hostile. 

 

I worked a few years offshore India for Reliance, hard working people but avoid giving one an authorised position, it goes to their head.  

 

 

 

That is a hell of a lot of straws! 🤣

12 minutes ago, MarkT63 said:

That is a hell of a lot of straws! 🤣

 

If Thailand banned the possession/distribution of straws it will show in future tourist numbers.

If Thailand started encouraging Pakistanis to visit, there will be a different tone to Pattaya street rumbles.

 

 

Indians and basically every other nationality are like mixing water and oil. The amount of anti-Indian sentiment I've seen in Thailand and elsewhere is staggering. Seems no one wants theses people around so I take this 2M tourists as a dark foreboding of things to come.

Just use the beach as your hotel and toilet. https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/viral-video-shows-indian-men-littering-sleeping-drinking-on-pattaya-beach-they-don-t-deserve-passports-101741234090397.html