Thailand records 48% year-on-year jump in foreign tourist arrivals

By Reuters February 27, 2024 | 04:37 pm PT

Tourists ride a hop-on hop-off cruise boat along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, March 2023. Photo by AFP

Thailand received 5.98 million foreign visitors between Jan. 1 and Feb. 25, 48% year-on-year, the tourism ministry said on Tuesday, with visitors from China reaching 1.1 million.

The government is now aiming for a record of 40 million foreign visitors this year after welcoming 28 million visitors last year.

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently said the government plans to offer visa-free travel to citizens of several more countries.

Thailand has recently waived visas for citizens of China and India to boost tourism, a key driver of Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.