(Thailand, 17th) The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) pointed out that changes in the number of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand are mainly influenced by four factors: the tourism peak season in the fourth quarter, school holidays, China’s economic trends, and tourists' confidence in safety.
The latest data from CAAT shows that since the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger volume on Thailand-China routes has gradually recovered. The reopening of China’s borders and the implementation of the Free Visa policy have further boosted tourism exchanges between the two countries.
Since 2023, passenger volume has continued to rise. However, a safety incident at the beginning of 2025 dealt a blow to Chinese tourists’ confidence in Thailand, leading to a decline in passenger flow.
Comparison of inbound and outbound data for Chinese travelers in 2024 and 2025:
Average monthly inbound passengers on Thailand-China routes
2024: 615,000
2025: 531,000 (down 13.63%)
Average monthly number of Chinese tourists to Thailand
2024: 561,000
2025: 378,000 (down 32.71%)
According to aviation transport statistics, in January 2025, the number of inbound passengers on Thailand-China routes reached 751,000, a year-on-year increase of 34.68% compared to the same period in 2024. The growth was mainly driven by the visa-free policy implemented by both countries, which not only encouraged Thai travelers to China but also attracted more Chinese tourists to Thailand.
However, after the safety incident, the monthly average passenger volume from China dropped by 13.63% in 2025. This is consistent with data from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which shows that the average number of Chinese tourists in 2025 fell by 32.71%.
The latest data from CAAT shows that since the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger volume on Thailand-China routes has gradually recovered. The reopening of China’s borders and the implementation of the Free Visa policy have further boosted tourism exchanges between the two countries.
Since 2023, passenger volume has continued to rise. However, a safety incident at the beginning of 2025 dealt a blow to Chinese tourists’ confidence in Thailand, leading to a decline in passenger flow.
Comparison of inbound and outbound data for Chinese travelers in 2024 and 2025:
Average monthly inbound passengers on Thailand-China routes
2024: 615,000
2025: 531,000 (down 13.63%)
Average monthly number of Chinese tourists to Thailand
2024: 561,000
2025: 378,000 (down 32.71%)
According to aviation transport statistics, in January 2025, the number of inbound passengers on Thailand-China routes reached 751,000, a year-on-year increase of 34.68% compared to the same period in 2024. The growth was mainly driven by the visa-free policy implemented by both countries, which not only encouraged Thai travelers to China but also attracted more Chinese tourists to Thailand.
However, after the safety incident, the monthly average passenger volume from China dropped by 13.63% in 2025. This is consistent with data from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which shows that the average number of Chinese tourists in 2025 fell by 32.71%.