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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects a significant decline in New Year holiday revenue, forecasting a 2-9% decline compared to last year. Border tensions and severe flooding affecting southern provinces have contributed to this decrease in tourist numbers. However, a robust local currency continues to buoy outbound travel.

 

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of TAT, has stated that they anticipate tourism receipts to reach 70-76.5 billion baht for the New Year, a decrease from the previous year. We also expect a decline in foreign visitor numbers, with an estimated 1.4-1.5 million arrivals between December 20 and January 1. Recent natural disasters and border issues have led to a reduction in travel from Malaysia and other key markets.

 

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has undermined the confidence of travellers in markets like China, Hong Kong, and Japan. Despite these setbacks, there has been a 6% increase in seat reservations from middle- and long-haul markets. Additionally, Bangkok has emerged as a top winter destination, featuring in Tripadvisor's Winter Travel Index Report 2025 alongside major cities like London and Paris.

 

To boost tourist numbers, Thailand introduced over 10 new international routes for the holiday season from countries including China, Japan, and Singapore, alongside charter services from Europe. Domestically, trips and revenue are expected to rise by 7% from December 31 to January 4, fuelled by the five-day holiday, favourable weather, and events across the country.

 

Vice-president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, Tassanee Kiatkamchornchai, highlighted strong outbound tourism, with China and Japan being top destinations for Thai travellers. Visa-free schemes and lower airfares have made these locations popular. The strong baht continues to support this trend, allowing middle-income earners to plan affordable trips abroad.

 

The first half of the year saw outbound travel grow by nearly 20% year-over-year, although the growth slowed in the latter half due to falling confidence amid regional conflicts. Overall, the outbound market is projected to expand by 10–15% from the 2024 levels, surpassing the figures seen in 2019, reported The Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways:

• New Year tourism revenue in Thailand is expected to drop 2-9%.
• Domestic travel grows due to favourable conditions and celebrations.
• Outbound travel remains robust, driven by strong local currency.

Related Stories:

TAT Launches ‘Trusted Thailand’ Mark to Rebuild Tourist Trust

Thailand Eyes European Tourists Amid Asian Visitor Decline

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Bangkok Post 2025-12-26

 

 

 

Thailand turning into a cess pitt of drugs and violence, allowing in tourists from developing nations visa free, eg India, focussing in on quanity over quality, the expansion of visas allowing criminals and undesirables to stay long term (increases in scams, crime, violence, foreigners working) have contributed to the issue. 

 

NOT THE BORDER SKIRMISHES. 

What about the loss of life and livelihood on the border area?

What about the loss of property and businesses in the floods?

No concern for the little people.

The main concern for the TAT is lost revenue.

No heart and no surprise.

Nothing to do with the war or flooding what about visas and the baht being high meanwhile vietnam is reaping its rewards

Ok border conflict is easy to solve. Floodings can be prevented if they invest in it... But the most important reason is that the THB is too expensive, which makes holidays here very expensive, the double pricings and outdated laws. If Thailand should do something about this, which is not difficult and make the country safer on the roads, thungs coukd changed. But thr too conservastive government is bringing the country deeper deeper and deeper downh

In another English language newspaper a few days ago, an article predicted record high seasonal spending and a large surge of foreign tourist arrivals and domestic traveling - one ponders if the reporters were in fact reporting on the same Thailand.

Some Western folks dont want to travel to countries with active war zones, complete political uncertainty, poor exchange rates, closed borders, floods of 3rd world tourists, flooding and smog. 

 

Thailand as we knew it is finished.

9 hours ago, JackSinclair said:

No concern for the little people

 

Congratulations on your awakening.  Better late than never, though it brings no peace. 

On 12/26/2025 at 7:50 AM, JackSinclair said:

What about the loss of life and livelihood on the border area?

What about the loss of property and businesses in the floods?

No concern for the little people.

The main concern for the TAT is lost revenue.

No heart and no surprise.

Got it in one... 

“However, a robust local currency continues to buoy outbound travel.”

 

I find this a strange comment to make. It’s mentioned twice in the article. I have no doubt that it is true, but I wonder what it has to do with the subject matter of Thai tourism?

 

Granted the words Thai and tourism form part of what they are talking about, but outward bound means it’s a completely different subject to Thai tourism.

 

I can’t help but think that TAT are at a loss to explain a reduction in inbound tourism, so have latched onto the idea of talking about outbound tourism.

 

Interesting strategy, if somewhat at home in a parallel universe rather than this one.

Don't worry about the people who have lost their lives. Just worry about the money  I think it's more to do do with with the Thai baht being suspiciously high this this time of year,every year and being twice the price of neighbouring countries that is the problem 

On 12/26/2025 at 2:03 PM, Yagoda said:

Some Western folks dont want to travel to countries with active war zones, complete political uncertainty, poor exchange rates, closed borders, floods of 3rd world tourists, flooding and smog. 

 

Thailand as we knew it is finished.

I wouldn’t say it’s finished. But it is going downhill rapidly 🤷🏼