File photo for reference only

 

Thailand’s tourism industry is thriving, having welcomed over 20 million international tourists in just the first eight months of the year. This influx has generated a remarkable 937.6 billion baht, underscoring the sector's vitality.

 

The impressive figures, shared by Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, cover the period from 1st January to 10th August 2025. By then, the country had already hosted 20,197,119 tourists.

 

Chinese visitors lead this boom, with 2,835,910 arrivals, followed closely by tourists from Malaysia (2,785,725), India (1,426,080), Russia (1,144,105), and South Korea (950,692).

 

Last week marked a noticeable rise in arrivals, fuelled by summer vacations and a series of public holidays in Japan. The resulting influx from Japan saw an impressive 86.3% increase in visitor numbers, elevating its rank from fifth to third in weekly arrivals.

 

In addition to short-haul guests, long-haul travellers from Israel significantly contributed to this growth, many visiting after completing religious observances. These combined factors drove the week's foreign arrivals to 627,339, translating to a 7.08% increase over the previous week and an average of nearly 90,000 daily arrivals.

 

The top nationalities for the week were China (102,750), Malaysia (85,622), Japan (37,611), India (35,387), and South Korea (32,320). While tourist numbers were buoyant from Japan, Malaysia, and China, South Korea and India experienced a slight decrease.

 

Thailand anticipates a steady flow of tourists, supported by several strategic initiatives. Key drivers include continuing school breaks in Europe and East Asia and the launch of the "Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025" campaign. Furthermore, the government is implementing travel-friendly measures such as waiving the TM.6 immigration card requirement, easing entry for visitors.

 

To further enhance accessibility, efforts are underway to encourage airlines to increase flight frequencies. This strategic push is expected to sustain and even boost visitor numbers in the coming months.

 

Thailand's tourism sector is enjoying a vibrant revival, showcasing significant growth and strategic foresight. The welcoming of over 20 million tourists signals a robust recovery, with promising prospects ahead. As the nation continues to attract visitors from around the globe, this momentum is likely to sustain throughout 2025 and beyond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-13

 

Yesterday it was reported it was down 5 percent ? 

 

Soooooooooo. Which is it?

Just now, blaze master said:

Yesterday it was reported it was down 5 percent ? 

 

Soooooooooo. Which is it?

 

Maybe if you bothered to learn reading you would know which it is

Bickering posts removed.

Up and down more times than a whore draws  🤣

Wish they'd make up their minds...tourism's bad....now tourism's good.....???

Yesterday: "Tourist Arrivals in Thailand Drop by 5%". Today: "Thailand's Tourism Soars with 20 Million Visitors in 2025"... Nuff said!

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Furthermore, the government is implementing travel-friendly measures such as waiving the TM.6 immigration card requirement, easing entry for visitors.

 

Wow, when did this happen? No more need to do this online? (And why is it "easing entry for visitors"?)

And than Thailand claims that only Thai news is reliable.... Even the Tm.6 card is making confusions now.. So no reliable news at all

Visitor numbers may soar (or rather do not), but definately the tourists are not spending very much any more. Just look at all the empty malls, tourist venues, bars and mainly restaurants. Not surprising with all the cheating and overpricing going around. They charge more or same as before but serve much less in the plate. Those still making money are the western fast and junk food joints or the supermarkets full of foreigners who are endulging more and more in self catering. Even the small budget hostels now have facilities for tourists to make their own food at the hotel. 

It is noticeable in my area Rawai I'm seeing a lot more Chinese, early in the morning, and Sunday afternoon many Arabs in Central. maybe there is an increase, 

Hi can I ask a question?

 

Wasnt tourism in crisis last week?

 

Just askin.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Hi can I ask a question?

 

Wasnt tourism in crisis last week?

 

Just askin.

Thats last week

Got to love thais optomistic reporting but unfortunatly it doesnt help tourism it keeps them in job i guess 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand’s tourism industry is thriving, having welcomed over 20 million international tourists in just the first eight months of the year. This influx has generated a remarkable 937.6 billion baht, underscoring the sector's vitality.

One day it's up, next day it's down, dwindling then booming... 

They have been complaining that tourism is down by a mile for the last 6 months, now the truth is revealed, it was lies by TAT, on Thursday its been exposed that they were only joking and its been a fantastic year so far 🤣🤣

Tourism is way down, ask anybody in the industry and they'll tell you that fact. We're getting seesaw information on a daily basis, up down, up down. The industry is hurting, restaurants are closing, hotel occupancy rates are way down and then an article like this is telling us that everything is rosy. Don't be concerned or worried!

 

The bottom line is that regardless of what the numbers are, tourists are spending considerably less, and Thailand is failing to attract a significant number of affluent tourists.

15 hours ago, JoePai said:

Up and down more times than a whore draws  🤣

Or maybe it depends whether or not the Minister gets any nookie. If tes, then tourism is fine. If not then -5%.🙂

14 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yesterday: "Tourist Arrivals in Thailand Drop by 5%". Today: "Thailand's Tourism Soars with 20 Million Visitors in 2025"... Nuff said!

Yesterday their fingers grew tired with counting, now they are using their toes as well, makes all the difference.

This is hilarious. You can't believe a thing this (or any other) government says. But these guys are too blanant.

 

One day tourism is down, the next day it's up.

 

They contradict themselves on almost an hourly basis. What BS.

 

I guess these govt officials don't read the news.   

Maybe now we can get a halt to the annual Thai crying about "a historically bad low season"

and "what are we going to do"?

Be interested to see how they calculate these figures and do they factor in how many thai tourists ditch thailand every weekend to visit other local countries 

It is DOWN! How could it not be? The flights here alone are ridiculous, then you gotta pay ‘home’ price for shiite beer. It might be a bit a up through certain quarters, but who wants a Thailand filled with Indians, Russians, Chinese? Just Awful.

"Furthermore, the government is implementing travel-friendly measures such as waiving the TM.6 immigration card requirement, easing entry for visitors."

 

Let's make "waiving TM.6" permanent!! 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The impressive figures, shared by Sorawong Thienthong

All praise the TAT and Sorawong who work tirelessly to produce numbers that keep them in their jobs...

may they be stuck there forever,...or until a new election comes around.

Well I went to Jomtien for a three day break and what I saw tells a different story. From my balcony I counted 5 people on the beach and I could see for quite a distance. I walked along the beach for about 1km and one part did not even have any umbrellas let alone people. Restaurants were mostly empty with just a couple of people if they were lucky. So where are these tourists going?

3 minutes ago, remobb said:

Well I went to Jomtien for a three day break and what I saw tells a different story. From my balcony I counted 5 people on the beach and I could see for quite a distance. I walked along the beach for about 1km and one part did not even have any umbrellas let alone people. Restaurants were mostly empty with just a couple of people if they were lucky. So where are these tourists going?

Not to Jomtien, that's for sure.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand’s tourism industry is thriving, having welcomed over 20 million international tourists in just the first eight months of the year. This influx has generated a remarkable 937.6 billion baht, underscoring the sector's vitality.

 

 

Err, but we're only 7½ months into the year! 

16 hours ago, JoePai said:

Up and down more times than a whore draws  🤣

What does a whore draw?
Does she do a bit of painting as well?