View source for Tourism in Thailand

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{{AI-generated|partial=y|date=February 2026|reason=[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tourism_in_Thailand&diff=1286031441&oldid=1284646770 these April 2025 edits]; note [[WP:AISIGNS]] in promotional tone, vocab distribution typical of 2024-25 LLMs etc}}
[[File:0000140 - Wat Arun Ratchawararam 005.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Wat Arun]], [[Bangkok]] is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks.]]
[[Tourism]] is an [[Economy of Thailand|economic]] contributor to [[Thailand]]. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the [[GDP]] of 12 trillion [[Thai baht|baht]] range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9% to 17.7% of GDP.<ref name="BP-20170217">{{cite news|last1=Theparat|first1=Chatrudee|title=Tourism to continue growth spurt in 2017|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1199925/tourism-to-continue-growth-spurt-in-2017|access-date=17 February 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=17 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Post |date=2015-08-24 |title=Government moves to head off tourist fears |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/666028/government-moves-to-head-off-tourist-fears |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref> When including indirect travel and tourism receipts, the 2014 total is estimated to be the equivalent to 19.3% (2.3 trillion baht) of Thailand's GDP.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Rochelle|title=Travel & Tourism, Economic Impact 2015, Thailand|date=2015|publisher=World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)| location=London| url=https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/countries%202015/thailand2015.pdf|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>{{RP|1}} 

In 2023, Thailand’s tourism recovery accelerated, with international arrivals surpassing 28 million as the government expanded visa-free entry for key markets and airlines increased regional capacity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Theparat |first1=Chatrudee |title=Thailand extends visa waivers to boost tourism recovery |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-extends-visa-waivers-boost-tourism-2023-09-25/ |work=Reuters |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=27 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nguyen |first=Anastasia |title=Thailand tourism surges as airlines add flights across Asia |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-tourism-airlines-asia-2023-travel-8f7a7c2b8b0447fd9ac683ec4173a334 |work=Associated Press |date=14 December 2023 |access-date=27 November 2025}}</ref>
According to the secretary-general of the [[Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council]] in 2019, projections indicate the tourism sector will account for 30% of GDP by 2030, up from 20% in 2019, Thailand is expected to receive 80 million visitors in 2027.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Theparat |first1=Chatrudee |title=Prayut: Zones vital for growth |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1753349/prayut-zones-vital-for-growth |access-date=19 September 2019 |work=Bangkok Post |date=19 September 2019}}</ref>

Tourism worldwide in 2017 accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and 313 million jobs, or 9.9% of total employment.<ref name="WTTC-WW-2018">{{cite book |title=Global Travel & Tourism Economic Impact World 2018 |date=March 2018 |publisher=World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) |location=London |url=https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/regions-2018/world2018.pdf |access-date=26 August 2018}}</ref>{{RP|1}} Most governments view tourism as an easy moneymaker and a shortcut to economic development. The success of tourism is measured by the number of visitors.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-08-05 |title=Only governments can stem the tide of tourism sweeping the globe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/05/only-governments-can-stem-tide-of-tourism-sweeping-the-globe |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Prior to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand|COVID-19 pandemic]], Thailand was ranked the world’s eighth most visited country by [[World Tourism rankings]] compiled by the [[United Nations World Tourism Organization]]. In 2019, Thailand received 39.8 million international tourists, ahead of the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Germany]],<ref name="WTO Tourism Highlights 2019 Edition">{{Cite journal|title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, December 2020 {{!}} World Tourism Organization|journal=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (English Version) |date=18 December 2020 |volume=18|issue=7 |pages=1–36 |doi=10.18111/wtobarometereng.2020.18.1.7 |s2cid=241989515 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and received fourth-highest international tourism earnings, at US$60.5 billion. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism rebounded to similar levels. In 2024, the number of international tourists was projected to be 39.8 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand Tour Packages 2025 – Best Prices from India |url=https://holidays.tripfactory.com/thailand/thailand-tour-packages/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=TripFactory Thailand |language=en-US}}</ref> However, that year only attracted 35.55 million international tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand: tourist arrivals 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/994693/thailand-number-international-tourist-arrivals/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> 

The [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] (TAT), a [[state-owned enterprise|state enterprise]] under the [[Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thailand)|Ministry of Tourism and Sports]], uses the slogan "[[Amazing Thailand]]" to promote Thailand internationally.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Battle |first1=Velma |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Quick View Into Thailand Tourism And The Thailand Tourism Organization |url=https://www.bugbog.com/tourism-in-thailand/ |access-date=2025-09-29}}</ref> In 2015, this was supplemented by a "Discover Thainess" campaign.<ref name=TAT-History>{{cite news|title=History|url=http://www.tatnews.org/history/|access-date=7 May 2015|work=TATnews.org|agency=Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)|date=2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414011618/http://www.tatnews.org/history/|archive-date=14 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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== Overview ==
[[File:0005030-วัดพระแก้วน้อย.jpg|thumb|Fireworks at [[Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park]], [[Phetchaburi Province|Phetchaburi]]]]

Among the reasons for the increase in tourism in the 1960s were the stable political atmosphere and the development of Bangkok as a crossroads of international air transport.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Thailand Became a Tourist Hotspot during the 60's |url=https://www.thailand-business-news.com/tourism/70078-how-thailand-became-a-tourist-hotspot-during-the-60s.html |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=Bloomberg |publisher=Thailand Business News |date=2018-08-30 |type=Video}}</ref> The hotel industry and retail industry both expanded rapidly due to tourist demand. It was boosted by the presence of US [[G.I. (military)|GIs]] who arrived in the 1960s for ''rest and recuperation'' ([[R&R (military)|R&R]]) during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp">{{cite journal|title=The Vietnam War and Tourism in Bangkok's Development, 1960–70 |url=http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/56779/1/KJ00000132246.pdf|journal=Southeast Asian Studies |volume=39|issue=2|pages=157–187|year=2001|author=Ouyyanont, Porphant }}</ref> During this time, international tourism was becoming the new trend as living standards increased throughout the world and travel became faster and more dependable with the introduction of new technology in the air transport sector.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/edfuller/2017/12/18/thailand-the-land-of-smiles-is-still-smiling-after-all-these-years/#1d669fb14137|title=Thailand: The Land Of Smiles Is Still Smiling After All These Years|last=Fuller|first=Ed|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en}}</ref>

Tourist numbers have grown from 336,000 foreign visitors and 54,000 GIs on R&R in 1967<ref name="repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp" /> to 32.59 million foreign guests visiting Thailand in 2016.<ref name="VOA-20170131">{{cite news |date=2017-01-31 |title=Record 32.59 Million Foreign Tourists Visit Thailand in 2016 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ap-record-32-million-foreign-tourists-visit-thailand-in-2016/3699721.html |access-date=1 February 2017 |work=Voice of America |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tore|first1=Ozgur|title=Thailand greets 29 millionth visitor in 2015|url=http://ftnnews.com/other-news/29303-thailand-greets-29-millionth-visitor-in-2015.html|access-date=25 December 2015|work=FTN News|date=2015-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thailand hoping to attract wealthier travellers|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thailand-hoping-to-attract-wealthier-travellers-30275657.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225211635/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thailand-hoping-to-attract-wealthier-travellers-30275657.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2015|access-date=25 December 2015|work=The Nation|date=2015-12-25}}</ref> The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) claims that the tourist industry earned 2.52 trillion baht (US$71.4 billion) in 2016, up 11% from 2015.<ref name=VOA-20170131 /> TAT officials said their revenue estimates, for foreign and domestic tourists combined, show that tourism revenue for all of 2017 may surpass earlier forecasts of 2.77 trillion baht (US$78.5 billion).<ref name=VOA-20170131 />

In 2015, 6.7 million people arrived from [[ASEAN]] countries and the number is expected to grow to 8.3 million in 2016, generating 245 billion baht.<ref name="BP-20160303" /> The largest numbers of Western tourists came from Russia (6.5%), the UK (3.7%), Australia (3.4%) and the US (3.1%).<ref name=DOT-2014>{{cite web|title=International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand 2014 (by nationality)|url=http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/23044|website=Department of Tourism (Thailand)|access-date=10 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318015136/http://www.tourism.go.th/home/details/11/221/23044|archive-date=18 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Around 60% of Thailand's tourists are return visitors.

In 2014, 4.6 million Chinese visitors travelled to Thailand.<ref name=DOT-2014 /><ref name=Nation-20150705>{{cite news|title=Chinese tourists boost Thai economy but stir outrage|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Chinese-tourists-boost-Thai-economy-but-stir-outra-30263782.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160922040520/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Chinese-tourists-boost-Thai-economy-but-stir-outra-30263782.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 September 2016|access-date=5 July 2015|work=The Nation|date=2015-07-05}}</ref> In 2015, Chinese tourists numbered 7.9 million or 27% of all international tourist arrivals, 29.8 million; 8.75 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2016.<ref name="BP-20170220">{{cite news|title=TAT to lure Chinese tourists with military facilities|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1201760/tat-to-lure-chinese-tourists-with-military-facilities|access-date=21 February 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=20 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="BP-20160303">{{cite news|last1=Chinmaneevong|first1=Chadamas|title=TAT aims to attract rich Chinese tourists   |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/884120/tat-aims-to-attract-rich-chinese-tourists|access-date=3 March 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=2016-03-03}}</ref> In 2017, 27% of the tourists that came to Thailand came from [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thaiwebsites.com/tourism.asp|title=Thailand Tourism Statistics. Tourist Arrivals from 2000 till 2017. Influence of Epidemics, Political Events (Military Coup), Floods, Economic Downturn on Tourist Arrivals|website=www.thaiwebsites.com|language=en|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref> Thailand relies heavily on Chinese tourists to meet its tourism revenue target of 2.2 trillion baht in 2015 and 2.3 trillion in 2016. However, in 2020, it was reported that Chinese tourists now ranked Thailand as third most popular foreign tourist destination, having been the top previously.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-23 |title=Thailand no longer top overseas destination for Chinese tourists |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2024179/thailand-no-longer-top-overseas-destination-for-chinese-tourists |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Donald Duck bay, similan islands.jpg|thumb|Donald Duck Bay, Ko Similan]]
It is estimated that the average Chinese tourist remains in the country for one week and spends 30,000–40,000 baht (US$1,000–1,300) per person, per trip.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chinese spend more in Thailand|url=http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/02/chinese-spend-more-in-thailand/|work=TTR Weekly|access-date=3 June 2013|author=Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit|date=18 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608231302/http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/02/chinese-spend-more-in-thailand/|archive-date=8 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The average Chinese tourist spends 6,400 baht (US$180) per day—more than the average visitor's 5,690 baht (US$160).<ref name="BP-20160303" /><ref name=Nation-20150705 /> According to Thailand's Tourism Authority, the number of Chinese tourists rose by 93% in the first quarter of 2013, an increase that was attributed to the popularity of the Chinese film ''Lost in Thailand'' that was filmed in the northern province of [[Chiang Mai province|Chiang Mai]]. Chinese media outlets have claimed that Thailand superseded Hong Kong as the top destination for Chinese travellers during the 2013 May Day holiday.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/05/03/chinese-tourists-flock-to-thailand-thanks-to-hit-comedy-film/#axzz2V8jxrbGv|title=Chinese tourists flock to Thailand thanks to hit comedy film|author=Julie Zhu|date=3 May 2013|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> In 2013, the Chinese National Tourism Administration published A Guide to Civilized Tourism which has specific statements regarding how to act as a tourist in Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whiterabbitcollection.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/GUIDE-TO-CIVILISED-TOURISM-1-English-Translation-of-Extracts.pdf|title=Guide to Civilised Tourism|date=September 2013|website=whiterabbitcollection.org|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>
 
In 2015, Thailand hosted 1.43 million Japanese travellers, up 4.1% from 2015, generating 61.4 billion baht, up 6.3%. In 2016, Thailand expects 1.7 million Japanese tourists, generating 66.2 billion baht in revenue.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Suchiva|first1=Nanat|title=Ministry seeks to court more Japanese women|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1202077/ministry-seeks-to-court-more-japanese-women|access-date=22 February 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=21 February 2017}}</ref>

TAT estimates that 1.9 million Indian tourists visited in 2019, up 22% from 2018, generating 84 billion baht in revenue, up 27%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Worrachaddejchai |first1=Dusida |title=TAT eagerly awaits Indian tourist surge |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1831074/tat-eagerly-awaits-indian-tourist-surge |access-date=9 January 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=8 January 2020}}</ref>

To accommodate foreign visitors, the Thai government established a separate tourism police force with offices in the major tourist areas and its own central emergency telephone number.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazing-Thailand.com - Tourist Police in Thailand |url=http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Police.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703161503/http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Police.html |archive-date=2008-07-03 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.amazing-thailand.com}}</ref>

Since the opening of the Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos borders in the late 1900s, competition has increased because Thailand no longer has the monopoly on tourism in Southeast Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.cornell.edu/cornellmasterclassinbangkok/2012/02/21/tourism-industry-in-thailand/|title=Tourism industry in Thailand {{!}} MMH In Asia Master Class in Bangkok|website=blogs.cornell.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-11}}</ref> Destinations like [[Angkor Wat]], [[Luang Prabang]] and [[Halong Bay]] now rival Thailand's former monopoly in [[mainland Southeast Asia]]. To counter this, Thailand is targeting niche markets such as [[Golf in Thailand|golf holidays]], holidays [[Medical tourism in Thailand|combined with medical treatment]] or visits to military installations.<ref name="BP-20170220" /> Thailand has also plans to become the hub of Buddhist tourism in the region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wanderluststorytellers.com/phuket/|title=Phuket Itinerary {{!}} Big Buddha, Phuket Night Markets & Bangla Road|date=2015-08-19|work=Wanderlust Storytellers {{!}} Family Travel Blog|access-date=2017-05-17|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== International rankings ===
In 2008, [[Pattaya]] was 23rd with 4,406,300 visitors, [[Phuket (city)|Phuket]] 31st with 3,344,700 visitors, and [[Chiang Mai]] ranked 78th place with 1,604,600 visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International |first=Euromonitor |date=January 2010 |title=Euromonitor Internationals Top City Destination Ranking > Euromonitor archive |url=http://www.euromonitor.com/Articles.aspx?folder=Euromonitor_Internationals_Top_City_Destination_Ranking&print=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901081922/http://www.euromonitor.com/Articles.aspx?folder=Euromonitor_Internationals_Top_City_Destination_Ranking&print=true |archive-date=2010-09-01 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.euromonitor.com}}</ref> In a list released by [[Instagram]] that identified the ten most photographed locations worldwide in 2012, [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] and [[Siam Paragon]] shopping mall were ranked number one and two respectively, more popular than New York City's [[Times Square]] or Paris's [[Eiffel Tower]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=28 December 2012 |title=Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand tops Instagram's list of most photographed places in 2012 |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2012/12/28/suvarnabhumi-airport-in-thailand-tops-instagrams-list-of-most-photographed-places-in-2012/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=thenextweb.com}}</ref> In 2013, Thailand was the 10th "top tourist destination" in the [[World Tourism rankings|world tourism rankings]] with 26.5 million international arrivals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNWTO Tourism Highlights |url=http://mkt.unwto.org/publication/unwto-tourism-highlights-2014-edition |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)}}</ref>{{RP|6}} In the ''MasterCard 2014 and 2015 Global Destination Cities Index'', Bangkok  ranked the second of the world's top-20 most-visited cities, trailing only London.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hedrick-Wong|first1=Yuwa|last2=Choong|first2=Desmond|title=MasterCard 2014 Global Destination Cities Index|date=2014|publisher=MasterCard|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark |date=2025-09-18 |title=all inclusive resorts grand cayman |url=https://oceansbeyondpiracy.org/all-inclusive-resorts-grand-cayman-my-guide-to-stress-free-sun-sand-and-unlimited-snacks/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Oceans Beyond Piracy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedrick-Wong |first=Yuwa |last2=Choong |first2=Desmond |date=2015 |title=MasterCard 2015 Global Destination Cities Index |url=https://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MasterCard-GDCI-2015-Final-Report1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307024252/https://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MasterCard-GDCI-2015-Final-Report1.pdf |archive-date=2023-03-07 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=newsroom.mastercard.com}}</ref> The U.S. News' ''2017 Best Countries'' report ranked Thailand at 4th globally for adventure value and 7th for cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Countries 2017 |url=https://media.beam.usnews.com/6a/c8/bccd653643b983c3e1ff671dcf13/171110-best-countries-overall-rankings-2017.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183610/https://media.beam.usnews.com/6a/c8/bccd653643b983c3e1ff671dcf13/171110-best-countries-overall-rankings-2017.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-08 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=media.beam.usnews.com}}</ref>

''[[The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report]] 2015'' published by the [[World Economic Forum]] ranked Thailand 35 of 141 nations. Among the metrics used to arrive at the rankings, Thailand scored high on "Natural Resources" (16 of 141 nations) and "Tourist Service Infrastructure" (21 of 141), but low on "Environmental Sustainability" (116 of 141) and "Safety and Security" (132 of 141).<ref name="TTCR-2015">{{cite book|title=The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015|date=2015|publisher=World Economic Forum (WEF)|location=Geneva|isbn=978-92-95044-48-7|pages=323–325|url=http://www.weforum.org/reports/travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2015|access-date=7 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221111205/http://www.weforum.org/reports/travel-tourism-competitiveness-report-2015|archive-date=21 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Online |date=2015-05-07 |title=Poor safety record limits Thailand in world tourism rankings |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/554371/poor-safety-record-limits-thailand-in-world-tourism-rankings |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>

In 2016, [[Bangkok]] ranked 1st surpassing [[London]] and [[New York City]] in Euromonitor International's list of "Top City Destinations" with 21 million visitors. In 2019, Bangkok ranked 1st surpassing [[Paris]] and London in [[Mastercard]]'s list of "Global Destination Cities Index 2019" with 22.78 million visitors. [[Phuket (city)|Phuket]] was 14th with 9.89 million visitors and [[Pattaya]] 15th with 9.44 million visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Destination Cities Index 2019 |url=https://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/GDCI-Global-Report-FINAL-1.pdf |access-date=2025-09-29}}</ref>

{{Gallery|title=Global Destination Cities Index 2019|width=170|height=120|align=center
| File:In Phuket when the Sun goes down, the City starts to rock! (4973896467).jpg|[[Phuket (city)|Phuket]] ranked 14th with 9.89 million visitors
| File:Pattaya in daytime June 2017.jpg| [[Pattaya]] ranked 15th with 9.44 million visitors
| File:เทือกเขาหลวงเชียงดาว ในตอนเช้า.jpg| [[Chiang Mai]] with 6.38 million visitors <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1766459/chiang-mai-braced-for-barren-hotels|title=Chiang Mai braced for barren hotels|newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=7 October 2019 |last1=Worrachaddejchai |first1=Dusida }}</ref>
}}

=== Impact of the 2004 tsunami ===
In December 2004, the [[Indian Ocean tsunami]] had a significant impact on Thailand’s tourism industry, particularly in [[Phuket]], [[Khao Lak]], [[Krabi]], and other coastal areas along the [[Andaman Sea]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-03-24 |title=Thailand's tsunami-hit tourism |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4375815.stm |access-date=2025-12-08 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Many beachfront resorts and tourism-related businesses were destroyed or damaged, and thousands of tourists were among the victims. International arrivals dropped sharply in early 2005 as safety concerns and infrastructure damage affected travel demand. However, with substantial domestic and international aid, rapid reconstruction efforts, and global media attention<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2005-03-17 |title=Tsunami Relief for the Tourism Sector Phuket Action Plan CSA/46/5a |url=https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/abs/10.18111/unwtorcmasia.2005.1.p2027hjkj1k70087 |journal=UNWTO Regional Commissions Meetings Asia |volume=2005 |issue=1 |pages=1–13 |doi=10.18111/unwtorcmasia.2005.1.p2027hjkj1k70087 |issn=1729-9950}}</ref>, Thailand’s tourism sector recovered quickly. By 2006, visitor numbers had returned to near pre-tsunami levels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai tourism back in full boom but tourists try to forget the horror |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/061224/International/i506.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.sundaytimes.lk}}</ref> 

=== Impact of political unrest ===
Political unrest in Thailand has significantly affected its tourism industry, with several incidents contributing to declining visitor numbers and investor confidence.

In late 2013, violent clashes in Bangkok led to a decline in hotel bookings and cancellations of major events. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported reduced bookings from key markets, such as Australia, where growth expectations fell from over 10% to just 3.6%. The protests prompted travel advisories from 31 countries, with tourism income facing potential losses of 25 billion baht. The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector also saw a 30% cancellation rate. Despite these challenges, the TAT maintained its tourism targets for 2013, aiming for 26.1 million arrivals and 1.18 trillion baht in revenue.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-12-03 |title=Protests damage tourism industry |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/382880/protests-damage-tourism-industry |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>

The situation worsened in 2014 with escalating political turmoil, including the shutdown of Bangkok's government offices by protesters in January. This led to a further decline in tourism, with the TAT forecasting a 5% drop in arrivals for the first quarter. Ultimately, tourist arrivals for 2014 fell to 24.7 million, a 6.6% decrease from 2013, and revenues dropped by 5.8% to 1.13 trillion baht. Contributing factors included both the political crisis and the devaluation of the Russian ruble, which impacted key destinations like Phuket. However, following the end of martial law in April 2015, tourism began to rebound, with expectations of an increase in high-spending tourists from Europe and the US.<ref>{{Cite web |last=N |first=Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit the |date=2014-01-09 |title=Tourist help centres to be set up across the city ahead of shutdown |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30223783 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=nationthailand |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-09 |title=2014 Tourist Arrivals in Thailand Drop By 6.6 Percent |url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420620808&section=00 |access-date=2025-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109090107/http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420620808&section=00 |archive-date=9 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-07 |title=Tourism rebounds after martial law ended |url=http://news.thaivisa.com/thaivisa-news/tourism-rebounds-after-martial-law-ended/46464/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407013940/http://news.thaivisa.com/thaivisa-news/tourism-rebounds-after-martial-law-ended/46464/ |archive-date=7 April 2015 }}</ref>

A major blow occurred on August 17, 2015, when a bomb exploded at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, killing 22 people and injuring 123, many of whom were foreign tourists. This bombing, occurring amid the instability following the 2014 military coup, intensified negative perceptions of Thailand as a safe travel destination. The incident, alongside ongoing violence in southern Thailand linked to separatist insurgents, further disrupted tourism, with bookings falling and a general decline in confidence in the country's security. Despite recovery efforts after previous disruptions such as the coup and street protests, the bombing demonstrated the vulnerability of Thailand’s tourism to domestic unrest.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Beech |first=Hannah |date=2015-08-20 |title=Thailand Reels After a Deadly Bombing |url=https://time.com/4004378/thailand-reels-after-a-deadly-bombing/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Oliver |last2=Phillips |first2=Tom |date=2015-08-18 |title=Bangkok blast: Thailand hunts CCTV suspect as device 'thrown from bridge' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/18/bangkok-bomb-not-in-keeping-with-insurgent-attacks-says-army-chief |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In August 2016, a series of bombings in Hua Hin and Phuket killed four people and injured dozens, including tourists from Europe. While the bombings were suspected to be linked to local insurgents rather than international terrorism, they triggered heightened security measures and foreign travel advisories. These violent events, coupled with ongoing political tensions and police harassment against tourists, further eroded visitor confidence. As Thailand’s tourism sector relies heavily on foreign visitors, these incidents underscored the ongoing challenges facing the industry amid the broader political instability.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bangkok |first=Ian Lloyd Neubauer / |date=2015-01-20 |title=Thailand, the Land Of Shakedowns |url=https://time.com/3674200/thailand-tourism-police-corruption-shakedown-extortion/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LaGrave |first=Katherine |date=2016-08-12 |title=Bombings in Thailand Hit Phuket and Hua Hin, Injure Dozens |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-08-12/bombings-in-thailand-hit-phuket-and-hua-hin |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Condé Nast Traveler |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Statistics ==
=== Foreign arrivals in Thailand ===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible autocollapse static-row-numbers static-row-header-hash"
|-
!Country
!2025
!2024
!2023|| 2022 || 2021 || 2020 || 2019 || 2018 || 2017 || 2016 || 2015 || 2014 || 2013 || 2012 
|-
|{{flag|Malaysia}}
|4,520,856
|4,952,078
|4,626,422 || 1,948,549 || 5,511 || 619,623 || 4,265,574 || 4,020,526 || 3,494,488 || 3,494,890 || 3,418,855 || 2,613,418 || 3,041,097 || 2,554,397 
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|4,473,992
|6,733,162
|3,521,095 || 273,567 || 13,043 || 1,251,498 || 10,997,338 || 10,535,241 || 9,806,260 || 8,757,646 || 7,936,795 || 4,636,298 || 4,637,335 || 2,786,860 
|-
|{{flag|India}}
|2,487,319
|2,129,149
|1,628,542 || 997,913|| 6,544 || 263,659 || 1,996,842 || 1,598,346 || 1,415,197 || 1,194,508 || 1,069,422 || 932,603 || 1,050,889 || 1,013,308 
|-
|{{Flag|Russia}}
|1,898,837
|1,745,327
|1,482,611 || 435,008 || 30,759 || 590,151 || 1,483,337 || 1,472,789 || 1,346,338 || 1,090,083 || 884,136 || 1,606,430 || 1,746,565 || 1,316,564
|-
|{{flag|South Korea}}
|1,555,227
|1,868,945
|1,660,042|| 538,766 || 12,077 || 262,017 || 1,890,973 || 1,796,426 || 1,709,265 || 1,464,200 || 1,373,045 || 1,122,566 || 1,295,342 || 1,163,619 
|-
|{{flag|Japan}}
|1,091,227
|1,050,904
|805,768 || 290,146 || 9,461 || 322,677 || 1,806,438 || 1,656,101 || 1,544,442 || 1,439,510 || 1,381,702 || 1,267,886 || 1,536,425 || 1,373,716 
|-
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|1,083,162
|965,862
|817,220 || 444,432 || 38,663 || 223,087 || 992,574 || 986,854 || 994,755 || 1,004,345 || 947,568 || 907,877 || 905,024 || 873,053 
|-
|{{flag|United States}}
|1,081,929
|1,030,733
|930,206  || 453,678 || 37,880 || 212,669 || 1,165,950 || 1,122,270 || 1,056,423 || 975,643 || 867,505 || 763,520 || 823,486 || 768,638 
|-
|{{Flag|Taiwan}}
|987,633
|1,089,910
|724,594 || 94,834 || 1,675 || 117,511 || 790,039 || 687,748 || 573,077 || 522,273 || 552,699 || 394,149 || 502,176 || 394,225
|-
|{{Flag|Singapore}}
|967,341
|1,009,640
|1,027,424 || 614,627 || 5,931 || 126,771 || 1,059,484 || 1,069,867 || 1,032,647 || 967,550 || 938,385 || 844,133 || 955,468 || 831,215
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}
|965,898
|873,364
|729,163 || 365,030 || 45,874 || 231,782 || 852,481 || 886,523 || 850,139 || 837,885 || 761,819 || 715,240 || 73 7,658 || 682,419 
|-
|{{Flag|Laos}}
|868,368
|1,124,202
|919,401 || 502,124 || 733 || 380,207 || 1,854,792 || 1,664,630 || 1,682,087 || 1,388,020 || 1,220,522 || 1,053,983 || 976,639 || 975,999
|-
|{{Flag|France}}
|816,935
|720,806
|545,003 || 268,587 || 23,461 || 237,317 || 745,346 || 749,556 || 740,190 || 738,878 || 681,114 || 635,073 || 611,582 || 576,106
|-
|{{flag|Australia}}
|808,682
|775,010
|687,745 || 336,688 || 9,577 || 123,827 || 767,291 || 801,203 || 817,218 || 796,370 || 807,450 || 831,854 || 900,460 || 930,241 
|-
|{{flag|Indonesia}}
|787,524
|876,610
|762,118 || 235,632 || 2,577 || 99,530 || 710,494 || 644,709 || 576,110 || 534,797 || 469,125 || 497,592 || 594,251 || 447,820 
|-
|{{flag|Philippines}}
|704,575
|598,124
|461,251 || 178,021 || 4,078 || 72,762 || 506,430 || 432,237 || 381,252 || 339,150 || 310,968 || 304,813 || 321,571 || 289,566 
|-
|{{Flag|Myanmar}}
|688,678
|546,629
|394,134 || 193,778 || 7,256 || 55,279 || 378,232 || 368,188 || |365,606 || 341,626 || 259,678 || 206,794 || 172,383 || 129,385
|-
|{{flag|Vietnam}}
|660,386
|984,248
|1,033,688|| 468,393 || 1,794 || 132,127 || 1,048,181 || 1,028,150 || 935,179 || 830,220 || 751,162 || 559,415 || 725,057 || 618,670 
|-
|{{flag|Hong Kong}}
|643,158
|876,076
|802,368 || 162,240 || 1,657 || 124,518 || 1,045,361 || 1,015,749 || 821,064 || 751,264 || 669,617 || 483,131 || 588,335 || 473,666 
|-
|{{Flag|Israel}}
|410,125
|281,803
|217,084  || 146,293 || 14,038 || 29,444 || 195,856 || 188,788 || 173,673 || 161,579 || 141,031 || 138,778 || 134,874 || 129,551
|-
|{{Flag|Italy}}
|311,852
|267,474
|191,983 
|85,254
|5,322
|60,602
|272,374
|279,905
|264,524
|265,597
|246,094
|219,875
|207,192
|200,703
|-
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|284,343
|261,467
|229,539
|116,354
|8,539
|52,402
|241,608
|236,265
|222,409
|235,762
|221,619
|211,524
|218,765
|208,122
|-
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|263,954
|251,336
|214,264 
|90,608
|6,440
|58,499
|273,214
|276,094
|258,494
|244,869
|227,601
|211,059
|229,897
|219,354
|-
|{{flag|Cambodia}}
|253,557
|553,060
|583,708 || 379,665 || 4,914 || 165,027 || 910,696 || 948,824 || 840,871 || 674,975 || 537,950 || 550,339 || 481,595 || 423,642 
|-
|{{Flag|Poland}}
|237,570
|180,722
|121,700 
|49,469
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|{{Flag|Sweden}}
|236,833
|212,523
|178,259
|97,378
|17,094
|111,994
|287,341
|311,949
|323,736
|332,895
|321,690
|324,865
|341,398
|364,681
|-
|{{Flag|Spain}}
|216,249
|207,710
|153,458 
|87,400
|3,514
|25,904
|188,997
|181,880
|179,584
|168,900
|150,995
|116,983
|123,084
|113,141
|-
|{{Flag|Saudi Arabia}}
|213,055
|228,032
|178,113 
|96,389
|467
|4,227
|30,006
|28,337
|33,531
|24,834
|19,168
|12,860
|21,452
|17,084
|-
|{{Flag|Switzerland}}
|194,911
|184,046
|156,337
|81,180
|11,429
|52,361
|192,130
|207,471
|209,528
|209,057
|206,480
|201,271
|199,923
|191,147
|-
|{{Flag|United Arab Emirates}}
|172,979
|169,927
|138,934 
|65,857
|4,061
|7,492
|130,158
|128,270
|137,218
|130,941
|124,719
|117,907
|123,926
|113,547
|-
|{{Flag|Kazakhstan}}
|166,620
|195,089
|172,489
|59,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|{{Flag|Denmark}}
|148,337
|138,278
|115,224
|64,249
|8,480
|66,848
|162,456
|169,373
|161,920
|165,581
|159,435
|160,977
|163,186
|167,499
|-
|{{Flag|Bangladesh}}
|144,333
|142,268
|140,657
|81,106
|1,955
|21,838
|136,677
|129,574
|121,765
|100,263
|107,394
|88,134
|82,418
|72,657
|-
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|127,525 
|92,116 
|69,108 || 27,128 || || || || || || || || || ||   
|-
|{{Flag|Norway}}
|122,734
|109,731
|83,952
|46,521
|5,763
|39,778
|127,992
|128,841
|127,850
|131,039
|135,382
|145,207
|154,049
|148,796
|-
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|122,347
|108,046
|85,512
|48,684
|5,386
|26,394
|114,669
|114,270
|112,266
|111,013
|106,090
|99,729
|101,109
|94,896
|-
|{{Flag|Oman}}
|119,577
|103,317 
|86,488 || 35,204 || || || || || || || || || ||
|-
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|114,715
|107,074
|88,706
|42,683
|5,486
|36,381
|111,428
|116,656
|104,784
|100,373
|97,869
|100,968
|106,278
|94,667
|-
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}
|101,137
|96,733
|85,897
|35,900
|1,151
|15,709
|112,680
|116,726
|117,962
|111,595
|112,411
|108,081
|118,395
|113,871
|-
|{{Flag|Sri Lanka}}
|98,826
|60,372
|33,893 || 12,734 || 576 || 8,155 || || || || || || || || 
|-
|Total
|32,974,321
|35,545,714
|28,150,016
|11,153,026
|427,869
|6,725,193
|39,916,251
|38,178,194
|35,591,978
|32,529,588
|29,923,185
|24,809,683
|26,546,725
|22,353,903
|}

=== Past arrivals statistics ===
* Reference: statistics for the period 1998–2016,<ref name=DOT-Stats>{{cite web|title=สถิตินักท่องเที่ยว Visitor Statistics, 1998–2016|url=http://www.tourism.go.th/view/1/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%A7/TH-TH|website=Department of Tourism Thailand|language=th|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> 2017<ref name="MOTS">{{cite web |title=สถิติด้านการท่องเที่ยว ปี 2560 |trans-title=Tourism Statistics 2017 |url=http://www.mots.go.th/more_news.php?cid=414 |access-date=16 January 2018 |website=Ministry of Tourism & Sports}}</ref>–2018.<ref name=MOTS18>{{cite web|title=International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand (2018)|url=http://www.mots.go.th/more_news.php?cid=498&filename=index|website=Ministry of Tourism & Sports|access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year|| Arrivals || % change
|-
|2025 
|32,974,321
|{{decrease}} 7.23%
|-
|2024 
|35,545,714 
|{{Increase}} 26.27%<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=สถิตินักท่องเที่ยวชาวต่างชาติที่เดินทางเข้าประเทศไทย |trans-title=International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand |url=https://www.mots.go.th/news/category/707 |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2023 
|28,042,131 
|{{Increase}} 151%<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=สถิตินักท่องเที่ยวชาวต่างชาติที่เดินทางเข้าประเทศไทย |trans-title=International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand |url=https://www.mots.go.th/news/category/707 |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|11,153,026
|{{Increase}} 1261%<ref name="mots.go.th">{{Cite web |title=สถิตินักท่องเที่ยวชาวต่างชาติที่เดินทางเข้าประเทศไทย |trans-title=International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand |url=https://www.mots.go.th/more_news_new.php?cid=629 |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|819,429
|{{decrease}} 93.61%<ref name="mots.go.th"/>
|-
| 2020 || 6,702,396 || {{decrease}} 83.21%<ref name="MOTS20">{{cite web |title=สถิติด้านการท่องเที่ยว ปี 2563 |trans-title=Tourism Statistics 2020 |url=https://www.mots.go.th/more_news_new.php?cid=592 |access-date=14 March 2021 |website=Ministry of Tourism & Sports}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || 39,797,406 || {{increase}} 4.24%<ref name=MOTS19>{{cite web|title=สถิติด้านการท่องเที่ยว ปี 2562 (Tourism Statistics 2019)|url=https://www.mots.go.th/more_news_new.php?cid=521|website=Ministry of Tourism & Sports|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || 38,277,300 || {{increase}} 7.54%
|-
| 2017 || 35,381,210 || {{increase}} 8.57%
|-
| 2016 || 32,588,303 || {{increase}} 8.91%<ref name="Reuters-20170109" />
|-
| 2015 || 29,881,091 ||  {{increase}} 20.44%
|-
| 2014 || 24,809,683 || {{decrease}} 6.54%
|-
| 2013 ||26,546,725 || {{increase}} 18.77%
|-
|2012|| 22,353,903  || {{increase}} 15.98%
|-
| 2011 || 19,230,470|| {{increase}} 20.67%
|-
|2010|| 15,936,400 || {{increase}} 12.63%
|-
|2009|| 14,149,841|| {{decrease}} 2.98%
|-
|2008|| 14,584,220||  {{increase}} 0.83%
|-
|2007||14,464,228 ||  {{increase}} 4.65%
|-
|2006|| 13,821,802 || {{increase}} 20.01%
|-
|2005|| 11,516,936 || {{nochange}} <abbr title="not available">n/a</abbr>
|}

In their justifications for constructing a new coal-fired power plant in [[Krabi Province]] (2015), the [[Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand]] (EGAT) presumes that by 2032 Thailand will receive more than 100 million tourists a year, 40% of them visiting Phuket and neighbouring areas such as Krabi. On average, the power consumption of a tourist is four times higher than that of a local resident.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Editorial |date=2015-09-27 |title=Future of Krabi's power plant unclear |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/708284/future-of-krabi-power-plant-unclear |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>

In 2015 some segments of Thailand's hospitality industry enjoyed their best year in over two decades, according to research firm STR Global. Thailand closed the year with an overall hotel occupancy of 73.4%, an increase of 13.6% over 2014, as arrivals rose to near the 30 million mark, driven by demand from the Chinese market. December 2015 was a particularly strong month as occupancy levels reached 77.4%, the highest level since 1995.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thailand's hotel occupancy hits 20-year high|url=http://www.eturbonews.com/67883/thailand-s-hotel-occupancy-hits-20-year-high|access-date=26 January 2016|work=eTN Global Travel Industry News|date=2016-01-25}}</ref>

Despite the increasing number of tourist arrivals, some businesses catering to the tourist trade report declining numbers. Sompoch Sukkaew, chief legal counsel of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) in Phuket, said in January 2016 that entertainment businesses are suffering. "Over the past three years, most bars were averaging about B90,000 revenue per day at this time of year,...now they're making just B40,000. Small bars...used to average B40,000 to B50,000 a day, now they're down to just B10,000 per day....PEBA members generated about B1.5 million per day during the peak season. Now it's down to about B540,000 per day." PEBA members number 500 in Patong, with about 200 businesses in the Bangla Road entertainment area. PEBA President Weerawit Kuresombat attributed the decline to the rise in Chinese tourism. "...most of them [Chinese tourists] come on complete tour packages....This means they spend very little on extras....They rarely venture out for the nightlife or even visit independent restaurants. They just don't spend much", he said.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sakoot|first1=Tanyaluk|title=Going Down: Businesses on Phuket's famed Bangla Rd suffer as clientele dries up|url=http://www.thephuketnews.com/going-down-businesses-on-phuket-famed-bangla-rd-suffer-as-clientele-dries-up-55868.php|access-date=27 January 2016|work=Phuket News|date=2016-01-22}}</ref>

The Thai government expects revenue from foreign tourists to increase by 8.5% to 1.78 trillion baht (US$49.8 billion) in 2017. Deputy Prime Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn attributed the increase to the improving outlook for global tourism as well as Thailand's investments in infrastructure. In 2016, Thailand had 32.6 million visitors, a rise of nearly nine percent from 2015. In 2017 the number of tourists visiting Thailand exceeded 35 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thailand-business-news.com/tourism/67000-thailand-celebrates-new-year-35-millionth-visitor-2017.html|title=Thailand celebrates New Year with 35 million visitors in 2017 – Tourism|date=2018-01-02|work=Thailand Business News|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en-US}}</ref> Thanasak expects daily tourist spending to increase to 5,200 baht per person in 2017, up from 5,100 baht in 2016.<ref name="Reuters-20170109">{{cite news|last1=Hariraksapitak|first1=Pracha|last2=Temphairojana|first2=Pairat|title=Thailand expects tourism revenue of nearly $50 billion in 2017|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-economy-tourism-idUSKBN14T0QN|access-date=10 January 2017|work=Reuters|date=9 January 2017}}</ref> Local tourists are expected to contribute an additional 950 billion baht in tourism revenues in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reporters |first=Post |date=2017-01-10 |title=Flash floods rain down on holidays |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/1177305/flash-floods-rain-down-on-holidays |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref>

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS, Citation2021a) and the National Statistical Office of Thailand (Citation2016), the number of international tourists that visited Thailand climbed significantly from 9.51 million in 2000 to 39.92 million in 2019. Meanwhile, inbound tourism revenue climbed gradually from USD 9,500 million to USD 63,727 million, representing an almost 700% rise.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fakfare |first1=Pipatpong |last2=Lee |first2=Jin-Soo |last3=Han |first3=Heesup |date=2022-02-12 |title=Thailand tourism: a systematic review |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10548408.2022.2061674 |journal=Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing |language=en |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=188–214 |doi=10.1080/10548408.2022.2061674 |issn=1054-8408|hdl=10397/94014 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== Sex tourism ==
{{main|Prostitution in Thailand}}
Since the [[Vietnam War]], Thailand has gained an international reputation among travellers from many countries as a [[sex tourism]] destination.{{sfn|Cohen|1996|page=2}}<ref name="culturetrip">{{cite web|last1=Iverson|first1=Kelly|title=A Guide to Bangkok's Red Light Districts|url=https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/a-guide-to-bangkoks-red-light-districts/|website=Culture Trip|access-date=18 December 2017|date=9 February 2017}}</ref>

Havocscope said that about US$6.4 billion in annual revenue was being generated by prostitution, a figure which accounted for 1.6 percent of Thailand's GDP.<ref name=Havocscope>{{cite web |url=http://www.havocscope.com/prostitution-statistics/ |title=Prostitution Statistics |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=www.havocscope.com |publisher=Havocscope |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703025524/http://www.havocscope.com/prostitution-statistics/ |archive-date=3 July 2015 }}</ref>

[[Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul]], named Thailand's first female tourism minister in 2014, has pledged to eradicate [[Prostitution in Thailand|Thailand's sex industry]]. "We want Thailand to be about quality tourism. We want the sex industry gone," Ms Kobkarn told [[Reuters]]. "Tourists don't come to Thailand for sex. They come here for our beautiful culture." She has named Pattaya, with its thousands of bars, brothels, and [[massage]] parlours, her "pilot project" in the cleanup campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Marszal|first1=Andrew|title='Thailand is closed to sex trade', says country's first female tourism minister|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/17/thailand-is-closed-to-sex-tourism-says-countrys-first-female-tou/|access-date=1 February 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=17 July 2016}}</ref> Kobkarn was replaced as tourism minister in November 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hamdi|first1=Raini|title=A familiar face helms Thai tourism but Kobkarn will be missed|url=https://www.ttgasia.com/2017/11/28/a-familiar-face-helms-thai-tourism-but-kobkarn-will-be-missed/|access-date=10 January 2018|work=TTG Asia|date=28 November 2017}}</ref>

On 21 February 2017, Prime Minister Gen [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]] announced that he will order the police to dismantle [[Pattaya]]'s sex industry. "I don't support prostitution", said Prayut.<ref name=Prachathai-20170221>{{cite news|title=Junta to purge Pattaya of prostitution|url=http://prachatai.org/english/node/6942|access-date=22 February 2017|work=Prachatai English|date=22 February 2017}}</ref>

==Medical tourism==

{{as of|2019}}, with 64 accredited hospitals, Thailand is currently among the top 10 medical tourism destinations in the world. In 2017, Thailand registered 3.3 million visits by foreigners seeking specialised medical treatment. In 2018, this number grew to 3.5 million.<ref name="DM-20190212">{{cite news |last1=Otage |first1=Stephen |title=Uganda: What Uganda Can Learn From Thailand's Medical Tourism |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/What-Uganda-can-learn-Thailand-medical-tourism/688616-4977826-11vacmh/index.html |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=Daily Monitor |date=12 February 2019 |location=Kampala}}</ref><ref name=Noree-2016>{{cite journal |last1=Noree |first1=Thinakorn |last2=Hanefeld |first2=Johanna |last3=Smith |first3=Richard |title=Medical tourism in Thailand: a cross-sectional study |journal=Bulletin of the World Health Organization |date=2016 |volume=94 |issue=1 |pages=30–36 |doi=10.2471/BLT.14.152165 |pmid=26769994 |pmc=4709795 |url=https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/1/14-152165.pdf |access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref> {{as of|2019}} Thai medical centres are serving increasing numbers of Chinese medical tourists in tandem with increasing overall Chinese tourism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luythong |first1=Chettayakhom |title=Healthy Outlook |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1500214/healthy-outlook |access-date=16 July 2018 |work=Bangkok Post |date=2018-07-09}}</ref> All numbers reported by the government must be viewed with some skepticism according to the authors of a 2010 study.{{Which|date=January 2022}} The Thai government reported that in 2006, 1.2 million medical tourists were treated in Thailand. But the 2010 study of five private hospitals that serve more than 60% of foreign medical tourists concluded that there were 167,000 medical tourists in Thailand in 2010, far below the government estimate. Most came for minor elective [[plastic surgery|(cosmetic) surgery]].<ref name=Noree-2016/>

== Gastronomical tourism ==
The governor of the [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] (TAT), said the agency aims to increase income from the gastronomy business from 20% of total tourism income forecasted for 2017 to 25% in 2018. In 2017, TAT aims for 2.77 trillion baht in tourism revenue, 20% of which is projected to come from gastronomy. In 2018, tourism revenue is expected to climb to three trillion baht, with gastronomy accounting for 750 billion baht. Thailand's 103,000 [[street food]] vendors alone generated 270 billion baht in revenues in 2017. [[Suvit Maesincee]], [[Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation|Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation]], expects the Thai street food segment to grow by six to seven percent annually.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hutasingh |first1=Onnucha |title=Smart food cart to aid gastronomic tourism |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1858934/smart-food-cart-to-aid-gastronomic-tourism |access-date=17 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=17 February 2020}}</ref>

TAT, in early-2017, approved a budget of 144 million baht to commission the ''[[Michelin Guide]]'' to rate restaurants in Thailand for the five-year period 2017–2021. The first guide, ''Michelin Guide to Bangkok'', was released on 6 December 2017. It bestowed Michelin stars on 17 Bangkok restaurants, ten of which do not serve Thai food.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pandey|first1=Umesh|title=Michelin guide leaves sour taste|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1375759/michelin-guide-leaves-sour-taste|access-date=10 December 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=10 December 2017|department=Editorial}}</ref> Guides to other cities will follow.

In 2016, gastronomy was Thailand's fourth-largest [[tranche]] (20%) of tourism income, after accommodation (29%), transport (27%), and shopping and souvenirs (24%). TAT estimates that Chinese tourists spent 83.3 billion baht on food in Thailand in 2016, followed by Russians at 20.8 billion baht, Britons at 18.4 billion baht, Malaysians at 16.1 billion baht, and Americans at 13.9 billion baht.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sritama|first1=Suchat|title=Michelin Guide set to hit Thai tables|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/1368711/michelin-guide-set-to-hit-thai-tables|access-date=3 December 2017|work=Bangkok Post|date=2017-11-29}}</ref>

== Elephant tourism ==
{{See also|Elephants in Thailand}}
Elephant [[trekking]] has been an attraction for tourists in [[Thailand]] for decades. Ever since logging in [[Thailand]] was banned in 1989, elephants were brought into camps to put on shows for tourists and to give them rides. The majority of these elephants once used to work in the [[logging industry]]. After the government banned logging,<ref name="Chatkupt-1999">{{cite journal|last1=Chatkupt|first1=Thomas T|last2=Aollod|first2=Albert E|last3=Sarobol|first3=Sinth|title=Elephants in Thailand: Determinants of Health and Welfare in Working Populations|journal=Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science|date=1999|volume=2|issue=3|pages=187–203 |doi=10.1207/s15327604jaws0203_2 |pmid=16363921}}</ref> many [[mahout]]s were then unable to care for their elephants and left them in the wild. After tourism in the country rose, elephants came back into demand. The tourism boom gave elephants a place to work and be cared for. Today there are an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 domesticated elephants in the country.<ref name="Kontogeorgopoulos, 2009" />

However, concerns were raised regarding their welfare. Elephants can sustain injuries related to giving rides, or going on treks, with tourists. The elephant's spine is curved and not optimised to carry heavy loads—the weight of two or more tourists at a time. The chairs or benches often used for the tourists to sit on upon it can also cause abrasions and chafing on its back, sides, and torso. During treks mahouts control the elephants with hooks and can use excessive force, resulting in puncture wounds.<ref name="Kontogeorgopoulos, 2009" /> Common training practices include being chained, cut, stabbed, burned and hit to varying degrees. Inexperienced mahouts are more likely to further harm their elephants and beat them into submission.<ref name="Kontogeorgopoulos, 2009">{{cite journal|last1=Kontogeorgopoulos|first1=Nick|title=The Role of Tourism in Elephant Welfare in Northern Thailand|url=http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/faculty_pubs/976/|journal=Journal of Tourism|access-date=10 January 2015|volume=10|issue=2|format=PDF|date=2009}}</ref> Hooks are the common tool used to discipline and guide an elephant during treks.<ref name="Chatkupt-1999" />
== Sport tourism ==
[[File:Thai wiki.JPG|thumb|right|"[[Amazing Thailand]]" – [[Thailand]] Tourism booth at a Travel and Tour Expo]]

[[Muay Thai]] is the national sport of Thailand, and a trip to a stadium to witness the 'science of the eight limbs' is an essential experience for many tourists.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-02-25 |title=A tourist's guide to watching Muay Thai in Thailand - Travel Wire Asia |url=https://travelwireasia.com/2011/02/a-tourists-guide-to-watching-muay-thai-in-thailand/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014204527/https://travelwireasia.com/2011/02/a-tourists-guide-to-watching-muay-thai-in-thailand/ |archive-date=2018-10-14 |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=Travel Wire Asia |language=en-US}}</ref> Studying Muay Thai is a main activity for Thai sport tourism, which the government promotes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tourism and Sports Ministry to support Muay Thai training for foreigners|url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourism-and-sports-ministry-to-support-muay-thai-training-for-foreigners-63786.php#a21tvPrRvqR2FkYk.97|website=thephuketnews|access-date=7 September 2017|date=2017-09-07}}</ref>

In 2016, there were 11,219 British people, 6,800 Australians, and 5,852 French nationals who visited Thailand to take lessons in the classical martial art. Thirty-eight percent of all people signing up for Muay Thai classes chose Phuket as their study destination, 28% chose Bangkok, and 16% chose Surat Thani.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2017-06-05 |title=Muay thai tourism by the numbers |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30317237 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=nationthailand |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Tourism Authority of Thailand ==
The [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] (TAT) has been actively leading the country's sustainable tourism efforts, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. At ITB [[Berlin]] 2025, TAT showcased its Carbon Neutral and Net Zero Tourism projects in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Promotion Fund.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-06 |title=Tourism Authority of Thailand Drives Thailand's Tourism Growth at ITB Berlin 2025 with a 50th Anniversary Pavilion Dedicated to Sustainable and High-Value Travel Experiences - Travel And Tour World |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tourism-authority-of-thailand-drives-thailands-tourism-growth-at-itb-berlin-2025-with-a-50th-anniversary-pavilion-dedicated-to-sustainable-and-high-value-travel-experiences/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> These initiatives, spanning all 77 provinces, aim to reduce the tourism sector’s carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly travel. TAT also integrates Thailand’s Soft Power, including [[gastronomy]] and cultural heritage, to enhance both sustainability and economic value. In recognition of these efforts, Nan Old Town and [[Chiang Khan district|Chiang Khan]] received awards for sustainable tourism at ITB Berlin 2025.<ref name=":2" /> Following the event, TAT plans to expand its initiatives globally as part of Thailand's "Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025" vision, which seeks to further boost international tourism and support sustainable practices across the sector.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=TAT Leads Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism Future with Innovation |url=https://www.tatnews.org/2025/03/tat-leads-thailands-sustainable-tourism-future-with-innovation/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=TAT Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>

TAT has also forged international partnerships to promote sustainable tourism globally. In March 2024, TAT collaborated with U.S.-based non-profit Tourism Cares, launching the “Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel FAM with Thailand,” which introduced 14 tourism representatives to Thailand’s sustainable practices in [[Bangkok]] and [[Krabi]]. This initiative aims to expand U.S. awareness of Thailand’s sustainable tourism, including the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map of Thailand, which highlights eco-friendly organizations. The partnership follows Thailand’s post-[[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID]] tourism recovery, which saw a 112% increase in U.S. visitors in 2023. Additionally, TAT partnered with dnata Travel Group in May 2024 to promote niche tourism markets in [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC) countries, including luxury and wellness tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Tourism Authority of Thailand Unveils Exciting New Campaign at Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2024 - Travel And Tour World |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tourism-authority-of-thailand-unveils-exciting-new-campaign-at-arabian-travel-market-dubai-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> This collaboration focuses on attracting high-value tourists and promoting Thailand as a "Quality Leisure Destination."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=Tourism Authority of Thailand announces inaugural collaboration with Tourism Cares |url=https://www.tatnews.org/2024/03/tourism-authority-of-thailand-announces-inaugural-collaboration-with-tourism-cares/ |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=TAT Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-07 |title=Tourism Authority of Thailand and dnata Travel Group sign strategic partnership agreement |url=https://www.tatnews.org/2024/05/tourism-authority-of-thailand-and-dnata-travel-group-sign-strategic-partnership-agreement/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=TAT Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of World Heritage Sites in Thailand]]
* [[Visa policy of Thailand]]
*[[Tourism in Bangkok]]
*[[Markets in Bangkok]]
*[[Responsible Tourism in Thailand]]
*[[List of shopping malls in Thailand]]
*[[List of Thai dishes]]
*[[Banana Pancake Trail]]
*[[MICE in Thailand]]
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Thailand}}
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.tourismthailand.org/home Tourism Authority of Thailand]
*[https://www.thailandtourismdirectory.go.th/en/home Thailand Tourism Directory]
*[https://www.tat.or.th/en Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)]
*[https://www.mots.go.th/mots_en/Index.php Ministry of Tourism and Sports]
*[https://www.thailandnow.in.th/ Thailand Now]
*[https://www.tatnews.org/category/thailand-tourism-updates/ Thailand Tourism Updates]


{{Thailand topics}}
{{Tourism in Asia}}

[[Category:Tourism in Thailand| ]]
[[Category:Hotels in Thailand| Hotels in Thailand]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thailand| ]]