File photo for reference only

 

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) reports a decline in its tourism confidence index for the third quarter of 2025. The index dropped to 66 out of 100, down from 70 in the previous quarter and 68 in the same period last year. This dip reflects a variety of challenges impacting the industry, including economic sluggishness, regional disputes, and currency issues.

 

The survey, conducted from August 15 to September 16, included 740 tourism operators, 450 Thai tourists, and 310 foreign tourists. Several factors contributed to the negative sentiment, notably the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia, fewer Chinese travelers, and the appreciation of the baht. As a result, the forecast for foreign arrivals this year has been adjusted to 33.1 million, slightly down from an earlier prediction and representing a significant drop compared to previous years.

 

Expectations for the fourth quarter remain subdued, with the confidence index projected to fall to 72, signaling further year-on-year declines. Regional tourism confidence also fell, with Bangkok experiencing the most significant drop, from 83 to 68. Among Thai travelers, 15% plan to travel abroad in the fourth quarter, favoring destinations like Vietnam, China, and Japan.

 

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), announced plans to boost the sector through cultural events such as Loy Krathong and New Year celebrations. These efforts aim to stimulate interest in long-haul markets, including Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Meanwhile, TAT is addressing the decline in Chinese visitors due to safety concerns, a significant factor in the current downturn.

 

Looking forward, the industry seeks to stabilize and recover by focusing on expanding markets and enhancing visitor experiences. As global conditions evolve, stakeholders remain optimistic about potential recovery opportunities.

 

Key Takeaways

• The tourism confidence index fell to 66, indicating industry challenges.
• The forecast for foreign arrivals is reduced to 33.1 million travelers.
• TAT aims to revitalize tourism through cultural festivals and market expansion.

 

Related Stories

Baht Surge Threatens Thai Tourism Economy

Financial Fraud Hits Nearly Half of Thai Citizens

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-29

 

 

Could it be a lousy exchange rate and the fact that police are descending on clubs like storm troopers?

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The forecast for foreign arrivals is reduced to 33.1 million travelers.

 

right... and next week they'll have record arrivals from places like india, or who knows ... maybe even north korea

They should promote that sinkhole in bkk as a new attraction. 

Getting too expensive. Not great value anymore regardless of silly high baht. 

Obviously the TCT and TAT use a different abacus = ya gotta wunda

An hour before we were told AI  was being brought in, to tempt to upto 2 Million Chinese visitors along with the photos of the meeting, maybe they should have said " Whats going wrong and how can we welcome back more tourists ".

It will be better tomorrow. Until its bad again

I think this needs some global context. For example, is foreign tourism to other countries also down? Or up? Or level with previous year? While Thailand might be crying the blues - and noticing the Chinese arrivals are down - maybe fewer Chinese are traveling out of their country to any destinations? Just to say more Chinese are going to Vietnam, or fewer global visitors are going to the USA doesn't really answer the question about international tourism numbers in general. 

 

EDIT to add the link from UN Tourism below which says global tourism 5% higher. But again, devil in the detail - how much has the global population grown since 2019 - some 6 years ago?

 

https://www.untourism.int/news/international-tourism-up-5-in-first-half-of-2025-despite-global-challenges

I think it's mainly the war with Cambodia getting worse.

The shine is wearing off Thailand.   Hopefully, vintage cars will fix this issue. 

Bhat is to high for its real value and it makes Thailand more expensive a destination for tourism. Cheating all over against the other foreigners living full time or just for a few months in winter. Harsh immigration red tape in Thailand that is pushing many retirees to leave and consider other countries in Asia. All the overcharging from anything to everything in house or condo maintenance or repair issues where the foreigner is always either overcharges or given poor quality work with unqualified labour and cheap materials used. All the harassment just for the foreigner bank accounts that get blocked every 6 months and each time a different excuse. The prices are far to high in Thailand in general and most of the goods sold in the Malls cost far cheaper in sunny towns of Europe. 

 

Places like Spain, Malta, or in the Caribean are getting far more cheaper compared to Thailand and are much closer for the european retirees. 

 

In fact still surprised that there are still people wanting to come to Thailand during the winter months. 

 

Another issue is the pollution, the smell of burning garbage all over popular beach towns like Hua Hin. And what about the beaches ? Who would dare swim in the sea in many beach towns ? When you see the cristaline clear and clean beaches in many European countries that are sunny and with good healthcare and low cost of living. 

I dont know what it's like around where you guys live? I can think of a few unfinished projects here in Phuket, one will never be finished for this time next year and another will not be ready for high season, That will create a good impression on the tourist who will end up breaking their necks walking around,

Always another Scam around the corner, that new TDAC people are gtting charged for it on some web sites, I was talking to a woman who paid $42, 

Maybe I missed something.  An earlier post stated "Suvarnabhumi Airport is forecast to handle about 67.7 million passengers during 2026".

 

Typical Thailand contradiction in reporting....it's up one post and down in another. But then again TIT.

Okay, here's why:

1. Awful exchange rate - tourists are not getting their bang-for-their-buck anymore... too expensive now.

2. Far too much scamming going on everyewhere from taxis to everything.

3. Other destinations offering a better deal that was close to what Thailand offered back in the day... but no longer. People aren't stupid and the word gets out.

4. Official nonsense and visa BS that makes everything much harder along with the bio-data and all sorts of nonsense they want.

5. The Thais have chosen nationalism over economic prosperity... with China-like monitoring coming in soon, which sucks for many.

Australian dollar 20.80

1000 baht is now $50 AUD 

 

I noticed a lot of things here in Thailand are either more expensive or comparable to Australian prices 

Everyday figures are produced by some Government in Thailand be it AOT or TAT or other groups stating figures or saying the worry is the decline of foreighn tourism. Some pump out the old " we are projecting " or we indicate " all rubbish instead of telling the truth. All they think about is the Chinese visitors. An old saying placing all your eggs in one basket. Thinking they will once return this or next year clinging on to to the hope they will return pre covid. You never hear or see them looking at European markets to turn away tourists from places like Spain or Greece where there booming destinations. Look at how they treat there tourists and at least make an effort instead of waiting for the Chinese golden Egg.

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Several factors contributed to the negative sentiment, notably the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia, fewer Chinese travelers, and the appreciation of the baht (...)  

 

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), announced plans to boost the sector through cultural events such as Loy Krathong and New Year celebrations (...)

 

Yeah, makes perfect sense! 😆 

 

Hoping, that the negative sentiment due to the border dispute with Cambodia, and the appreciation of the baht will be forgotten after announcement of the usual yearly celebrations... 🎉 

1 hour ago, Sir Dude said:

Okay, here's why:

1. Awful exchange rate - tourists are not getting their bang-for-their-buck anymore... too expensive now.

2. Far too much scamming going on everyewhere from taxis to everything.

3. Other destinations offering a better deal that was close to what Thailand offered back in the day... but no longer. People aren't stupid and the word gets out.

4. Official nonsense and visa BS that makes everything much harder along with the bio-data and all sorts of nonsense they want.

5. The Thais have chosen nationalism over economic prosperity... with China-like monitoring coming in soon, which sucks for many.

It's been over ten years since I first visited Thailand. The novelty has worn off. If it weren't for someone I know there, I wouldn't consider going back.

11 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

If it weren't for someone I know there, I wouldn't consider going back.

From that comment I take it that you do not live in Thailand, is that correct?

Thailand scams, pollution, bureaucracy, constant frustration, irritation & disappointment were tolerable when the country was cheap.

 

Devaluing the baht by 50% would make Thailand attractive again.

4 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Okay, here's why:

1. Awful exchange rate - tourists are not getting their bang-for-their-buck anymore... too expensive now.

2. Far too much scamming going on everyewhere from taxis to everything.

3. Other destinations offering a better deal that was close to what Thailand offered back in the day... but no longer. People aren't stupid and the word gets out.

4. Official nonsense and visa BS that makes everything much harder along with the bio-data and all sorts of nonsense they want.

5. The Thais have chosen nationalism over economic prosperity... with China-like monitoring coming in soon, which sucks for many.

6. The girls are getting chubbier.

7. Thais are not smiling as much as they used to.

 IMO

8 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Bhat is to high for its real value and it makes Thailand more expensive a destination for tourism. Cheating all over against the other foreigners living full time or just for a few months in winter. Harsh immigration red tape in Thailand that is pushing many retirees to leave and consider other countries in Asia. All the overcharging from anything to everything in house or condo maintenance or repair issues where the foreigner is always either overcharges or given poor quality work with unqualified labour and cheap materials used. All the harassment just for the foreigner bank accounts that get blocked every 6 months and each time a different excuse. The prices are far to high in Thailand in general and most of the goods sold in the Malls cost far cheaper in sunny towns of Europe. 

 

Places like Spain, Malta, or in the Caribean are getting far more cheaper compared to Thailand and are much closer for the european retirees. 

 

In fact still surprised that there are still people wanting to come to Thailand during the winter months. 

 

Another issue is the pollution, the smell of burning garbage all over popular beach towns like Hua Hin. And what about the beaches ? Who would dare swim in the sea in many beach towns ? When you see the cristaline clear and clean beaches in many European countries that are sunny and with good healthcare and low cost of living. 

Where a non polluted place and cheap in Europe? 

3 hours ago, Lee65 said:

Thailand scams, pollution, bureaucracy, constant frustration, irritation & disappointment were tolerable when the country was cheap.

 

Devaluing the baht by 50% would make Thailand attractive again.

Can you name a few examples of 

 

constant frustration, irritation & disappointment that you’ve experienced? Was it in BKK? 

Double Pricing, Moter bike Rentals, jet Ski Scams, for starters.

 

Maybe if Immigration made it easier to enter the kingdom instead of all of the TM forms........

 

 

6 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

6. The girls are getting chubbier.

7. Thais are not smiling as much as they used to.

 IMO

I know we are talking about Thailand but I rate the Philippines much worse 

Thailand is an expensive destination for tourists.  The hotel prices are ridiculous now.

 

We used to go to the KataThani in Phuket every year, it's as high as 11,000 baht per night now.

 

I can fly to Phu Quoc and have a night in the Dusit and fly back for less than that.  Make it a week-long stay and it's 60,000 baht more to stay in a crowded hotel with appalling food and be surrounded by Russians who don't appreciate my Puck Futin T-Shirt.

33 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Thailand is an expensive destination for tourists.  The hotel prices are ridiculous now.

 

We used to go to the KataThani in Phuket every year, it's as high as 11,000 baht per night now.

 

I can fly to Phu Quoc and have a night in the Dusit and fly back for less than that.  Make it a week-long stay and it's 60,000 baht more to stay in a crowded hotel with appalling food and be surrounded by Russians who don't appreciate my Puck Futin T-Shirt.

Everyone seems to be raving about this Vietnam place ...I really want to go but will have to wait until next year now 

Sounds a fantastic place thankyou for your service

5 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Everyone seems to be raving about this Vietnam place ...I really want to go but will have to wait until next year now 

Sounds a fantastic place thankyou for your service

 

There are a group of expats staying in An Bang, a back/flash packer destination 5km outside Hoi An towards Da Nang.  I love it there and am going back for April with 10 family members (also going to Nha Trang, Da Lat, Saigon, Phu Quoc and Hanoi).