Thailand 'stands firm' in the face of conflict.

Thailand says international visitor numbers "remain stable," with groups of tourists not directly affected by the situation in the Middle East continuing to visit the country.

Tourists wearing traditional Thai clothing pose for photos while visiting Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, 2024.

According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports , from January 1st to March 11th, the country welcomed over 7.4 million international visitors , a decrease of 4.40% compared to the same period in 2015 due to the impact of the situation in the Middle East.

In the first half of the year, Thailand welcomed over 100,000 visitors daily, generating 368.172 million baht in tourism revenue. This figure shows that Thailand remains an important destination for global tourists, according to Nation Thailand.

"Over 7.4 million international visitors are proof of the trust that tourists still have in Thailand," said Natthriya Thaweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

According to her, the number of international visitors "remained stable and did not decline significantly" despite tensions in the Middle East. During this period, more than 300,000 visitors from Europe and the Middle East came to Thailand, a 16% decrease compared to normal travel trends.

Meanwhile, the situation in major Asian markets is mixed. China continues to be the largest source market with over 1.1 million visitors since the beginning of the year. Malaysia is a rare bright spot with a 25.76% increase in visitors over the past 7 days, while South Korea recorded a 19.34% weekly decrease.

Tourists gather at Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, in 2024.

To maintain its growth momentum, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is stepping up its promotional activities. One notable program is the Amazing Thailand Post-ITB Roadshow 2026 in Eastern Europe, starting in Poznan (Poland), aiming to reach a potential market segment with an average stay of up to 14 days.

Besides the European market, TAT also continues its tourism promotion activities in Shanghai (China) to stimulate the nearby market and maintain the appeal of Chinese tourists, one of Thailand's largest sources of visitors.

The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also working with various international airlines to adjust flight frequencies and routes to ensure that tourists can still travel to the country amidst the volatile airspace over the Middle East.

"With its balanced foreign policy, domestic stability, and open visa policy, Thailand is increasingly seen as a safe haven for people from conflict-affected areas," said Yuthasak Supasorn, former Governor of the TAT.

Tourists visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2024.

According to him, this trend has led to the emergence of a new group of tourists, who are not only seeking relaxation but also looking to escape war, find temporary shelter, or recover from trauma, and even considering relocating or investing. This creates new impetus for Thailand's tourism industry.

Mr. Yuthasak argued that Thailand needs to strengthen its overall security risk management, as public safety awareness remains lower compared to destinations like Vietnam and Singapore .

Furthermore, the country needs to enhance its digital security, tighten controls on transnational crime, and maintain a cautious foreign policy, especially as it continues to welcome tourists and long-term residents from countries affected by conflict, such as Russia and Israel.

Source: https://znews.vn/thai-lan-dung-vung-truc-chien-su-post1634567.html