Southeast Asia's second largest economy sees 21% rise in foreign arrivals

By Hoang Vu   February 4, 2025 | 07:31 pm PT
Southeast Asia's second largest economy sees 21% rise in foreign arrivals
Tourists look at the view from the top deck of a tourist commuter boat on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on Dec. 27, 2023. Photo by AFP
Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, welcomed 3.97 million foreign tourists as of Feb. 2, marking a 21% year-on-year increase, its Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.

Chinese visitors remained the largest source of inbound tourism, with over 710,000 arrivals despite safety concerns following the kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing near the Thai-Myanmar border, Bangkok Post reported.

Wang was rescued from a cyber fraud center in Myanmar last month after being lured to Thailand under the pretense of an audition, only to be smuggled across the border.

In response to safety concerns and reports of Chinese tour groups canceling flights and bookings, Thailand has quickly stepped up security measures. The government even released an AI-generated video featuring Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaking Mandarin, reassuring Chinese tourists of their safety and encouraging them to visit the kingdom.

China was Thailand's largest tourist source last year, with 6.7 million arrivals out of a total of 35.5 million.

This year, Thailand aims to attract 40 million foreign visitors.

 
 
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