The search for Thailand among Chinese tourists via the Ctrip website, one of China’s largest travel platforms, has increased seven times since the signing of the mutual visa exemption agreement between Thailand and China on 28 January, which will go into effect from 1 March 2024. The website indicates that Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Pattaya are the five most-searched destinations in Thailand.
At the same time, the search for Chinese destinations has also risen among Thais. The travel agency trip.com says that it has increased four times, and the most-searched destinations are Shanghai, Chengdu, Harbin, Shenzhen, and Beijing.
According to statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, from 1 to 28 January 2024, 444,702 Chinese visitors arrived in Thailand, an average of nearly 16,000 people per day. (PRD)
