Thailand Experiences Tourism Revival During China’s Golden Week with Flights at 99% Capacity and Over 20,000 Chinese Visitors Daily
Thailand’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant rebound during China’s Golden Week holiday (September 26–October 6, 2025), one of the year’s key travel periods, according to Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).
Recent data indicates a strong recovery, with nearly all flights from China operating at full capacity and Chinese arrivals steadily increasing each day.
High Flight Occupancy and Growing Chinese Tourists Since the holiday began, tickets from Chinese cities to Thailand have been nearly fully booked, with passenger loads averaging 99%, three times the usual rate. This surge highlights heightened demand and reinforces Thailand’s status as a top destination for Chinese travelers.
“Flights are 99% full, and daily Chinese arrivals have already exceeded 20,000, with numbers continuing to rise. This clearly demonstrates that Thailand remains a favorite for Chinese tourists,” Adith stated. “By enhancing convenience, safety, and warm hospitality, Thailand can once again capitalize on the Chinese market as a key driver of tourism and economic growth.”
Support from Government and Airlines To meet the holiday demand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has increased flight capacities, including charter flights from Chinese cities such as Xi’an, Chengdu, Hefei, Xining, Huangshan, Shanxi, and Changsha. Most flights land in Bangkok, though some serve destinations like Samui and Chiang Mai.
Additional routes are planned for November, connecting Chinese cities like Shenyang, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou, and Chengdu to popular Thai destinations such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai. These new routes aim to diversify and expand Thailand’s tourist base by reaching secondary Chinese cities.
Rising Chinese Visitor Numbers Between September 26 and October 2, Thailand welcomed 586,942 international tourists, with over 123,750 from China—more than one-fifth of the total. Chinese arrivals grew steadily from 11,649 on September 26 to over 23,900 by October 1, remaining above 22,000 on October 2.
The ATTA noted that this trend indicates a structural recovery in the Chinese tourism market.
Economic Benefits and Regional Tourism Growth The surge in Chinese visitors is providing significant economic benefits across hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation, and airlines. Major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are seeing immediate gains, while secondary destinations such as Khon Kaen, Sukhothai, and Krabi are expected to attract more visitors through new routes and dispersal efforts.