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Over 100,000 Chinese tourists arrives in Thailand after visa-free entrance policy

October 6, 2023 Thailand Industry Updates

Over 100,000 Chinese tourists arrived in Thailand during the week when a visa-free entrance policy for travelers from that country was put into effect, from September 25 to October 1. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports published statistics showing a substantial increase of 72.49 percent over the previous week.

A total of 552,419 international visitors arrived in Thailand during the same week, up 71,015 travelers or 14.75 percent over the previous week.

During this time, China (106,472), Malaysia (96,060), South Korea (41,981), India (37,067), and Laos (24,311) were the top five nations contributing to inbound tourism. Notably, Chinese visitors had the largest growth, accounting for an astounding 72.49 percent rise.

To mitigate the fall in Chinese tourist arrivals during the first seven months of the year, Thailand decided to grant visa exemptions for Chinese nationals in early September, effective until February of the following year. This fall was ascribed to both the slowing Chinese economy and security worries.

However, the terrible shooting event at a well-known Bangkok mall, which resulted in the murder of one Chinese tourist traveling there under the visa-free program, threw a cloud on the nation’s tourism recovery.