Thailand’s tourism sector is experiencing a notable shift in 2025 as Malaysia overtakes China as the top source of international visitors, according to the latest data from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Between March 31 and April 6, Thailand welcomed 92,262 Malaysian tourists—a 12.8% week-on-week increase—while Chinese arrivals dipped by 1.2% to 64,177, reflecting cautious travel behavior amid ongoing global economic pressures.
Although China maintains the year-to-date lead with 1.38 million arrivals, Malaysia is closing in rapidly with 1.23 million visitors, underscoring robust regional travel momentum and rising cross-border demand. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool attributed the slowdown in Chinese outbound travel to broader global factors, including economic headwinds and U.S.-China trade tensions that are affecting consumer spending and travel decisions.
As of April 6, Thailand has recorded a total of 10 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, marking a 1.79% increase compared to the previous year and signaling continued recovery for the country’s tourism industry. In addition to strong ASEAN performance, renewed interest from long-haul markets such as Italy and Spain, along with consistent arrivals from the UK, Germany, and Israel, highlights Thailand’s global appeal.
Looking ahead, Thailand anticipates significant contributions from Russia and India, with projections of up to 2 million and over 2.5 million visitors respectively, reinforcing the country’s position as a diverse and resilient destination in the evolving global travel landscape.
