Thailand is anticipating a resurgence in Chinese tourist visits, as the country is committed to fulfilling its promises to the Chinese government regarding the prohibition of casino resort legalization.
According to reports, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated that there could be noticeable positive outcomes within one or two months. This statement was made following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, as reported by Bloomberg. He further mentioned that the Lunar New Year holiday in February is expected to bring a seasonal increase in tourist arrivals.
Chinese tourists wearing traditional Thai attire rented from a clothing rental shop and took commemorative photos during their visit to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 13, 2025. The photo was taken by NurPhoto via AFP.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to begin internal discussions on ways to boost tourism to Thailand after the Thai government pledged to resist any efforts to legalize casino resorts. In July, Xi urged the Thai government to abandon plans for casino legalization, warning of potential negative impacts on tourism and bilateral trade.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has assured President Xi that Thailand remains steadfast in its opposition to the legalization of casinos. This assurance was given during their meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea last week.
In the first half of 2025, only 2.3 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, representing a decrease of about a third compared to the same period in the previous year, according to official data from Thailand.
The Thai tourism industry has been actively working to regain the trust of Chinese tourists, who have been hesitant to book travel due to safety concerns following the kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January, who was eventually rescued.
To attract Chinese travelers, the largest segment of international tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched its “Nihao Month” campaign. This initiative includes various activities running from September through December.
Thailand is expecting 33.4 million visitors in 2025, which is nearly 6% fewer than in 2024. This marks the first decline in foreign arrivals since the pandemic.