The fourth-quarter prospects for Thai Airways (THAI) remain bullish, with an estimated load factor exceeding 80%, fueled by both international demand and Thai tourists favoring Asian destinations, particularly China and Japan, which have remained popular throughout the year.
Kittiphong Sansomboon, THAI’s Chief Commercial Officer, attributed this resilience to a strong baht and visa exemption schemes that have attracted Thai travelers to Asian locations. During peak season, most Thais tend to visit short-haul cities, with Tokyo and Shanghai being the most favored, while fewer opt for European destinations.
In the first seven months of 2025, Shanghai ranked as the third most visited destination for Thai travelers, accounting for 10.1% of the segment—up from sixth place and 4.9% last year. Bookings to Shanghai saw a remarkable 91% increase compared to the previous year. THAI operates 42 weekly flights to five Chinese cities, including Shanghai, all operated with wide-body aircraft. The airline plans to expand flight services and introduce new routes to China.
Tokyo remains the leading outbound destination; however, its share of Thai travelers decreased from 20.3% to 12.3% this year. Singapore saw a rise in popularity, capturing 12% of Thai passengers—up from 8.3% and moving from fourth to second place. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Osaka ranked as the fourth and fifth most popular destinations between January and July, with respective shares of 7.5% and 7.2%.
Mr. Kittiphong also noted strong growth in Thai outbound travel to emerging markets like Colombo, Sri Lanka, which experienced an increase of over 134% year-on-year. THAI operates a fleet of 80 aircraft and plans to debut its new A321neo in January, featuring fully flat Royal Silk business class seats.
Juthasree Kuvinichkul, founding partner of YouTrip Thailand, reported that outbound travel by Thai tourists grew by 45% in the first half of 2025, with over 25% of travelers taking multiple trips despite a sluggish economy. She mentioned that more than 75% of Thai tourists prefer traveling within the Asia-Pacific region to cut costs, rather than undertaking long-haul journeys.
Japan remains the top destination for YouTrip cardholders, while an increasing number of Thais are exploring lesser-known destinations such as Fukuoka and Okinawa. Additionally, the number of Thai tourists visiting China surged by 180% in the first six months, driven by Chinese pop culture trends and visa-free initiatives. Popular Chinese cities include Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu, with travelers citing lower travel and accommodation costs as key motivators.