Thailand Welcomes Return of Chinese Tourists During Holiday Season
Bangkok (ANTARA) - When a group of Chinese tourists travelling from Shanghai to Thailand arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Tuesday (17/2), they were greeted with souvenirs bearing New Year blessings.
In addition, a Thailand-China friendship performance was staged at the airport to add colour and a festive atmosphere, impressing passengers from the moment they set foot in Thailand and reaffirming the country’s commitment to providing an unforgettable welcome during this important festival.
Since the beginning of this year, the Southeast Asian nation has made significant efforts to welcome back visitors from China, traditionally one of Thailand’s largest source markets, following a decline last year.
Arrivals from China fell last year due to various factors, including safety concerns, which caused hesitation among prospective tourists.
In response, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the Amazing Thailand Chinese New Year 2026 programme and other promotions under the “Zhong Tai Yi Jia Qin — China and Thailand Are One Family” campaign to coincide with Lunar New Year, with the aim of strengthening Thailand’s position as a premier destination for Chinese New Year celebrations.
As part of these efforts, TAT collaborated with major travel agents and online travel agencies to run joint sales promotions from January to March.
According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents, during the 2026 Chinese New Year period, the average number of Chinese tourists arriving in Thailand surged to nearly 30,000 per day, double the usual figure, which was regarded as a clear sign of recovery.
Statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports showed that between 1 January and 15 February, Thailand welcomed more than 5 million international visitors, with China as the largest country of origin.
Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, spoke about the latest figures, highlighting that the tourism surge during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday had significantly contributed to the influx of visitors from nearby markets, particularly China.
In Bangkok, Yaowarat Road, from Odeon Circle to Chaloem Buri Intersection, was decorated with large-scale festive illuminations, with five Mandarin characters spelling “Zhong Tai Yi Jia Qin” shining brightly at the entrance, creating a vibrant atmosphere celebrating the prosperity and longstanding friendship between the two nations.
Aksornsri Phanishsarn, Associate Professor from the Faculty of Economics at Thailand’s Thammasat University, said Thailand was delighted to welcome Chinese tourists back in large numbers, noting that their return had injected fresh vitality into the Thai economy.
For 2026, TAT has set an ambitious target of attracting 36.7 million foreign visitors, Aksornsri added, expressing hope that an increasing number of Chinese tourists would visit Thailand to contribute to achieving this target.