TAT Welcomes 7M Tourists with Lucky Oranges, Amid Baht Strength Concerns

Matichon•Economy•8h ago

Reader Briefing

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively engaging Chinese tourists for Chinese New Year 2025, aiming to welcome 7 million visitors this year, despite concerns over the strong Thai Baht impacting competitiveness.

•The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organized events at Suvarnabhumi Airport to welcome Chinese tourists during the 2026 Chinese New Year.
•TAT expects Chinese tourist arrivals to increase significantly, potentially exceeding targets, and aims to welcome 7 million Chinese visitors in 2026.
•Concerns exist regarding the strong Thai Baht, which may affect Thailand's competitiveness against neighboring countries with weaker currencies.

Overview

•On February 17, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) provided an update.
•TAT organized activities to welcome Chinese tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the 2026 Chinese New Year festival.
•TAT distributed lucky orange gift bags and offering souvenirs to Chinese tourists as part of the welcome activities.
•Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand from January 1 to February 15, 2026, totaled 770,427.
•During the Chinese New Year festival period (February 13-22, 2026), an estimated 241,000 Chinese tourists were expected to visit Thailand.
•The strong Thai Baht is a concern for TAT, potentially reducing Thailand's competitiveness against neighboring countries with weaker currencies.
•TAT projects that Chinese tourist spending could exceed the target of 42,000 million baht, reaching 45,000 million baht.
•TAT forecasts that Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand in 2026 will reach 7 million people.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon

"In February, Chinese tourists are expected to increase by at least 50% compared to the same period in 2025."

เดือนกุมภาพันธ์ นักท่องเที่ยวจีนเข้ามาเทียบช่วงเดียวกันปี 2025 น่าจะขยับขึ้นไม่ต่ำกว่า 50%

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon

"We are now seeing the return of the Chinese market and Chinese-speaking countries, with spending likely to exceed 45,000 million baht."

ตอนนี้เราเห็นการกลับมาของตลาดจีนและประเทศสื่อสารภาษาจีน (ไชน่า สปีกกิ้ง) เพิ่มขึ้น ทำให้ตัวเลขการใช้จ่ายน่าจะเกินกว่าเป้าหมายไปถึง 45,000 ล้านบาทได้

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon

"Currently, China is up 85%, Hong Kong 84%, and Taiwan is also doing well. We predict the 2026 target for Chinese tourists to Thailand will reach 7 million people."

เฉพาะช่วงนี้จีนบวก 85% ฮ่องกงบวก 84% และตลาดไต้หวันก็บวกได้ดีเช่นกัน จึงคาดการณ์เป้าหมายทั้งปี 2026 ตลาดจีนเที่ยวไทยจะบวกได้ถึง 7 ล้านคน

Key Entities

Organization

Tourism Authority of Thailand(การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The organization that organized activities to welcome Chinese tourists for Chinese New Year and aims to boost tourism numbers.

Siam Piwat(สยามพิวรรธน์)ℹ️

A company that provided gift vouchers as part of the welcome gifts for Chinese tourists.

SRICHAND(ศรีจันทร์)

A brand that provided souvenir products as part of the welcome gifts for Chinese tourists.

Thai Airways(สายการบินไทย)ℹ️

An airline involved in transporting Chinese tourists to Thailand.

Spring Airlines(สายการบินสปริงแอร์)ℹ️

An airline that operates flights from Shanghai to Thailand, bringing Chinese tourists.

Qunar.comℹ️