Thailand received over 20 million overseas visitors in the first seven months of the year, contributing around 957.31 billion baht to the country’s economy.
- China, Malaysia, and India were the top three sources of foreign tourists to Thailand between January and July 2024.
- The number of foreign arrivals in Thailand is expected to remain steady in the coming week due to factors such as summer holidays in Europe and the Middle East.
- The Thai government aims to attract 36.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, following a record of nearly 40 million in 2019 before the pandemic.
China was the largest source of tourists, followed by Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia. The number of foreign arrivals increased in the past week, with a notable rise from short haul and long haul markets. The government anticipates a stable level of foreign arrivals in the upcoming week, attributing it to summer holidays in Europe, relaxation of travel measures, and increased flight options.
The goal is to attract 36.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, aiming to recover from the impact of the pandemic when the country had nearly 40 million visitors in 2019.
Expanded visa policy
Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to include citizens from 93 countries, allowing them to stay for up to 60 days without a visa since July 18. This new policy aims to boost tourism and make travel to Thailand more convenient for visitors from a wide range of countries.
The list of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) at immigration checkpoints has alsobeen increased from 19 to 31 countries/territories. Moreover, a new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) has been introduced, allowing foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days at a time for tourism and remote work, with the visa valid for 5 years.
