Decrease in overseas travelers by 2.7% observed during the initial five months of 2025
Revised Article:
Foreign travelers to Thailand took a dip in the first half of 2025, with a 2.7% drop in arrivals, yet tourist revenue climbed a surprising 1.05%, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
May's slump
However, the ministry revealed a stunning 13.93% drop in foreign arrivals in May alone, compared to the same period last year.
Year-to-Date Overview
From January to May 2025, a grand total of 14,362,694 foreign tourists visited the Land of Smiles—a decrease of 2.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Nevertheless, international visitors generated an estimated 672.629 billion baht in revenue, marking a 1.05% increase year-on-year.
Top visitor nations
China and Malaysia remained the leading nations of travelers, with 1.958 million and 1.901 million arrivals respectively. Despite the decline, Chinese nationals accounted for a substantial 32.71% drop compared to the previous year.
Top 10 foreign arrivals (Jan-May 2025)
- China - 1,958,939
- Malaysia - 1,901,464
- India - 978,600
- Russia - 961,143
- South Korea - 673,563
- United Kingdom - 512,181
- United States - 469,388
- Germany - 462,696
- Japan - 444,274
- Taiwan - 430,827
May's Detail breakdown
In May, 2,266,574 foreign tourists graced Thailand with their presence—down 13.93% from May 2024. Interestingly, the number of Malaysian travelers surpassed Chinese visitors during the month, making Malaysia the top source of foreign tourists in May.
- TAGS
- Foreign Arrivals
- Tourism
- China
- Malaysia
- Thailand
Insight:
The sharp decrease in foreign tourism in May 2025 stemmed from several factors. For one, the slowing Chinese economy and domestic tourism promotion efforts led to a significant drop in Chinese tourists. Safety concerns and tourist perceptions of heightened risks in Thailand also played a role, especially among Chinese travelers. The low season in Thailand, along with market shifts toward tourists from other countries, notably Malaysia and potentially European and South Asian visitors, contributed to the surge in spending and offset some of the decline in visitor numbers.
- International business investments in Thailand's tourism sector might experience a challenging period due to the decreasing number of Chinese tourists, while there could be opportunities for growth with an increasing number of tourists from Malaysia and potential increases in European and South Asian visitors.
- The drop in foreign arrivals in May 2025, particularly from China, could affect the sports tourism sector in Thailand, considering the significant number of Chinese tourists who frequently visit for sports-related events.
- The unexpected increase in tourism revenue despite the decrease in foreign arrivals in the first half of 2025 indicates a potential shift in focus within international tourism, and it may prompt General News outlets to investigate and report on these changes in the industry. Furthermore, the rising number of tourists from Malaysia could also draw the attention of journalists covering crime and justice, as they might explore any associated increases in crime rates among this demographic.
