Thailand scrambles to bring back Chinese tourists after 40% drop

Airport immigration offers fast-track entry for families during travel season

Tourists hang out across from the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, pictured on June 2. Total visitor arrivals to Thailand dropped 4.6% year on year in the first half of 2025. © Reuters

YUICHI NITTA

July 18, 2025 10:29 JST

BANGKOK -- From priority immigration at airports to subsidies for charter flights, Thailand is implementing a series of measures to bring back Chinese tourists, whose numbers have declined more than 40% over the past few months, in a bid to revitalize the country's lackluster travel industry.