Thailand's strengthening baht has appreciated by roughly 1% against the U.S. dollar so far this year, following a 9% surge in 2025, a trend that risks eroding the tourism sector's price competitiveness, Bangkok Post reported.
Thailand’s headline inflation was negative for a 10th straight month in January, driven by lower energy prices, data from the commerce ministry showed.
Tourism officials affirmed Thailand remained a low-cost destination for foreign tourists.
Thailand has set its target of welcoming 36.7 million foreign arrivals this year, a 13% increase from last year, and earning tourism revenue of 2.78 trillion baht (US$88.3 billion), up 7%.
With 32.9 million international arrivals in 2025, Thailand ranked as Southeast Asia's second most visited country after Malaysia, which received over 42 million, marking the second consecutive year the kingdom has relinquished its regional tourism crown.
The country recorded 4.1 million foreign arrivals from Jan. 1 to Feb. 8, down 10.77%.
