CHIANG MAI, June 9 — Chinese tour group arrivals in Thailand have dropped sharply, particularly in Chiang Mai, with some operators reporting a staggering 90% decline over recent months. Industry insiders attribute the downturn to growing safety concerns among Chinese travelers, amplified by viral reports of crime and scams circulating on Chinese social media.

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The impact has been felt throughout Chiang Mai’s tourism sector. Once-crowded destinations such as Tha Phae Gate now see dwindling numbers of Chinese tourists, with Taiwanese and Vietnamese visitors making up a larger share. Businesses that once catered heavily to Chinese clientele, including traditional costume rental shops like “Ao Jao,” report a more than 70% decline in Chinese customers.

Hotel occupancy in the region has also suffered, with booking rates hovering around 30–40%. Data from the past two years reflect the broader trend: Chinese arrivals in Chiang Mai dropped from nearly 570,000 in 2022 to 320,000 last year, and now stand at under 130,000 in the first five months of 2025.

Chinese tourism was down 30% year on year in Q1 in Thailand.
Everyones freaking out about it in Thailand trying to attach a narrative to it. Theyre blaming things like the Myanmar Earthquake and safety concerns. But that happened at the end of Q1.
Also independence day tariffs… pic.twitter.com/bhQuoRYnnl

— AntonKreil (@AntonKreil) June 7, 2025

Worapoj Chatkanchana, executive of Chiang Mai Sky Travel, formerly one of the city’s leading operators for Chinese group tours, says his client base has all but disappeared. “We used to receive 6,000 to 7,000 Chinese tourists per day,” he said. “Now we see fewer than 100.” To stay afloat, his company has pivoted to operate a local tourist attraction dubbed the “sea in a valley,” aimed at drawing domestic travelers and preserving jobs for nearly 300 employees.

Chatkanchana says market research in China reveals that tour agents are steering clear of Thailand amid fears about safety. Instead, Chinese tourists are opting for destinations like Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea. He calls on Thai authorities to urgently address the issue and restore international confidence.

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is ramping up efforts to attract visitors from alternative markets such as India and Russia, using platforms like the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+). Still, the core issue remains: rebuilding Thailand’s image as a safe and reliable destination for all tourists.

-Thailand News (TN)