'Thai tourism is weakening due to fierce competition from Vietnam'

The Bangkok Post article stated that Thai tourism is weakening due to fierce competition from Vietnam and ineffective domestic promotion and subsidy programs, as well as inadequate improvements to safety destinations.

Thailand's tourism business may slow for the rest of the year, tourism executives said, as the country faces tougher competition from Vietnam and South Korea, which are waiving visas for more international markets.

Vietnam expands visa exemption policy

South Korea recently announced a visa-free policy for Chinese tourist groups starting in September, ahead of the Golden Week holiday in October. Meanwhile, Vietnam has just expanded its visa-free policy to 12 more markets, bringing the total to 39.

Thailand's tourism industry is struggling with unsafe destinations and fierce regional competition.

PHOTO: GETTY

Specifically, citizens of Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland entering Vietnam for tourism purposes will be exempted from visas for a temporary stay of 45 days, regardless of passport type, on the basis of meeting all entry conditions according to Vietnamese law.

The visa exemption policy for citizens of the above countries entering Vietnam will be implemented from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028. Earlier this year, the Government also issued Resolution No. 11 on visa exemption under the Tourism Development Stimulus Program in 2025 for citizens of Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland. This policy will expire from August 15.

According to the Bangkok Post , Thailand has a generous visa-free policy, applicable to 93 countries, but this policy will be ineffective if the government does not address the country's unsafe image and actively promote new tourism products and attractions, Mr. Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), analyzed.

Despite border tensions with Cambodia and the August 8 attack that burned alive two Malaysian tourists in Bangkok, he said the government had been slow to reassure tourists about safety or take action to build confidence among potential visitors.

Negative sentiment about Thailand has spread on social media abroad, making the government's target of welcoming 35 million international visitors this year very difficult.

International visitors switch to Vietnam

As of August 10, Thailand had welcomed 20.2 million visitors, down 6.9% year-on-year, with 2.8 million Chinese visitors making up the largest market. However, the number of Chinese visitors fell by about 30% due to safety concerns and growing interest in other destinations.

Vietnam has more and more new destinations attracting international tourists.

PHOTO: TN

Vietnam’s tourism has benefited greatly from this shift, recording 12.2 million international arrivals in the first seven months of the year, up 22.5% from the previous growth rate, mainly due to 3.1 million Chinese visitors (higher than Thailand) and 2.5 million South Korean visitors. Da Nang alone welcomed 1 million South Korean visitors.

Ms. Morrakot Kuldilok, President of the Eastern Branch of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said many tour groups, especially from Russia, Europe and India, have shifted their travel from Pattaya to Vietnam due to newer and cheaper hotels.

A five-star hotel in Vietnam can cost only half the price of a hotel of the same class in Pattaya, she said.

Therefore, she stressed, the Thai government should act faster to address obstacles, such as the strong baht, which has caused hotel prices to increase by 5-7%...

Thailand compensates Malaysian tourist burned alive

Thailand will compensate two Malaysian tourists burned alive in Bangkok last week with 550,000 baht ($17,000) each for medical expenses and mental suffering.

Gan Xiao Zhen, 27, and Ong Yik Leong, 26, were sitting on the steps outside Big C shopping mall last Thursday when they were attacked.

Malaysian tourist burned alive

The attacker, Varakorn Pubthaisong, 30, is believed to have doused them with thinner before setting them on fire, claiming he was unemployed.

Gan is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for second-degree burns over 36 percent of his body, while Ong is being treated at the Police General Hospital's intensive care unit for second-degree burns on his upper body.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-lich-thai-lan-dang-suy-yeu-do-canh-tranh-gay-gat-tu-viet-nam-185250815104539813.htm