Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan said that Thailand remains a top travel choice for Chinese tourists and that the Government is proceeding with its plan to boost tourist confidence in all dimensions.

Ms. Sasikarn quoted Alipay and its global payment platform Alipay+, stating that Thailand continues to maintain its position as one of the most preferred travel choices for Chinese tourists, especially during peak travel periods, such as Labor Day and Golden Week.

According to Alipay, Thailand ranked fifth globally in terms of total spending by Chinese tourists. Among the top ten most popular destinations for outbound Chinese travelers are Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, France, Canada, and Italy. 

Ms. Sasikarn said that there are several factors leading to Thailand's continued popularity among Chinese tourists. These factors include Alipay+, a cross-border payment solution that empowers Chinese tourists to use their local e-wallets while traveling overseas, Thailand’s diverse tourist attractions and its impressive culture, and Thai hospitality.

Statistics compiled by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports show that Thailand welcomed 9.5 million international tourists in the first quarter of 2025. Chinese visitors were the largest group of tourist arrivals, followed by visitors from Malaysia, Russia, India, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and France.

The Government is preparing to organize a special program “Sawasdee Ni Hao” on 29 May 2025, when a group of Chinese entrepreneurs and media representatives are invited to experience Thailand in order to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.

Ms. Sasikarn pointed out that the Government aims to upgrade the quality of Thailand’s tourism and step up safety and security measures in an effort to develop Thailand as a top global destination and impress all visitors on a continual basis. 

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong stated that Thailand had set a target to become a sustainable tourism hub, with the use of its cultural strengths and rich natural resources, as well as hospitality, to gain greater recognition internationally.

He called on all Thais to join hands in creating the “Thailand Model” for sustainable tourism, not only to cope with the changing situation but also to act as agents of change.