Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand hit record low since visa waiver, prompting urgent recovery pro…

PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand’s tourism sector is facing a new setback as the number of international tourists declines, with a particularly sharp drop among Chinese travelers—the country’s top source of foreign visitors. On April 16, 2025, Chinese tourist arrivals fell to just over 5,000 people per day, marking the lowest level since Thailand and China launched their visa-free travel agreement. This is a dramatic drop from the previous daily average of 15,000–20,000. In response, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is shifting its strategy to target new and emerging…