In the first two weeks of January 2025, Thailand saw a significant rise in foreign tourism, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors, marking an increase of nearly 20% compared to the same period last year. Chinese nationals topped the list, contributing more than 200,000 arrivals. With the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, which run from January 24 to February 2, the country expects to generate over 40 billion baht in tourism revenue.
Deputy Government Spokesperson, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, shared the latest tourism figures on January 17, 2025, revealing that Thailand hosted 1,319,005 foreign tourists from January 1-12, an increase of 19.89% year on year. This influx of visitors brought in an estimated 66.1 billion baht in revenue. The top five countries of origin for these tourists were China (205,521), Malaysia (138,387), Russia (109,767), South Korea (78,147), and India (72,970). Notably, short-haul tourists, particularly from China, increased by 35.76%, attributed to the government’s focus on improving safety measures and streamlining visa processes. Long-haul tourism also saw growth, with countries like France and the United Kingdom showing stronger numbers.

The second week of January, from the 6th to the 12th, recorded 813,594 foreign tourists, an 11.52% rise from the previous week, averaging 116,228 visitors per day. Looking ahead, Thailand anticipates a boost in tourism income during the Chinese New Year period. The total revenue is expected to reach 40.66 billion baht, an increase of about 10% from last year. The international market is projected to generate 34.36 billion baht, driven by the arrival of approximately 1.35 million foreign tourists. Among these, 287,000 are expected to be Chinese visitors, an increase of 7%, contributing an estimated 8.8 billion baht in revenue.
To ensure the continued growth of the tourism sector, the government is intensifying its efforts to bolster safety standards and provide an enhanced experience for foreign visitors. Mr. Anukul emphasized the collaborative approach across various agencies to elevate the overall safety and service levels, positioning Thailand as a top-tier, world-class tourist destination.