Thai Travelers Hit Record Numbers, China Tops Destinations
Thai travelers hit a record 13.06 million trips abroad in the past year, with China topping destinations as the favorite choice for 3.06 million visitors seeking visa-free entry and value.
Thai travelers have reached a historic high of 13.06 million people visiting foreign countries in the past year, an 11.4% increase, spending over 559 billion baht total. Research by Bnomics, the Bangkok Bank research team, released the figures on September 23.
The top five destinations for Thai travelers are:
First: China attracted 3.06 million Thai tourists who spent 120,253 million baht, averaging 39,317 baht per trip. China's strength lies in its permanent visa-free entry, reducing bureaucratic steps, combined with comprehensive infrastructure and value for money.
Second: Malaysia drew 1.72 million Thai travelers, generating 33,381 million baht in spending. Its advantage is proximity and ease of transportation and accessibility by car, train, and plane.
Third: Laos hosted 1.44 million Thai tourists who spent 22,057 million baht. The China-Laos railway, which opened in 2021, has transformed travel by dramatically cutting journey times from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and southern China while reducing costs.
Fourth: Japan saw 1.23 million Thai visitors but topped spending at 63,269 million baht, or 51,558 baht per trip, reflecting Thai travelers' willingness to pay premium prices for quality experiences in food, culture, safety, and transportation.
Fifth: The United Kingdom surged 39.7% with 492,000 Thai travelers spending 131,089 baht per trip, driven by average stays of 13.6 days for tourism, education, and family visits.
South Korea dropped to 13th place with only 328,000 Thai tourists, down 13.8%, despite K-Pop's strong appeal. Stricter immigration enforcement to combat illegal work has led to repeated entry denials, creating psychological and time costs that deter travelers from choosing South Korea over easier destinations.
