Thailand, April 23rd, 2025 — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that international tourist arrivals in March 2025 fell by 9% year-on-year to 2.72 million, following the earthquake that struck in late March.
During the week of March 25th–31st, when the earthquake occurred, East Asian arrivals sharply declined due to heightened safety concerns amplified on social media. Japan saw a 36% drop, followed by Hong Kong and South Korea at 23%, Singapore 17%, Vietnam 16%, and China at 7%.
Neighboring countries including Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar recorded an average 15% decline, largely due to travel slowdowns through northern land border checkpoints near the quake’s impact zone.
European markets also contracted by 4–9%, with travel hesitations anticipated during the upcoming Easter holidays.
Adith Chairattananon, Secretary-General of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), stressed the importance of reassuring global travelers about Thailand’s safety. He noted that only one building was seriously damaged in the March 28th quake, and other structures, including hotels and tourist sites, have passed safety inspections. New safety registration systems for car rentals and accommodations will launch May 1st.
He also called for increased government funding to support overseas promotions, especially targeting Asia-Pacific and short-haul markets. Adith warned that potential economic fallout from the US-China trade war may affect long-haul travel, making Asia even more vital.
He also criticized current tourist spending metrics that count two Asian travelers as equal to one European, arguing that many Chinese—especially from lesser-known cities—spend heavily on first-time experiences and souvenirs. Meanwhile, some European tourists, especially backpackers, often travel on tighter budgets, opting for guesthouses over hotels.
Thailand, he said, must actively promote in secondary Chinese cities where online marketing has limited reach, requiring more direct engagement to rebuild the country’s tourism image.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
