Around 1.3 million foreign tourists have entered Thailand in just the first two weeks of 2025, with around 200,000 of them being Chinese tourists. Meanwhile, Thailand expects to generate some 40 billion baht of tourism revenue during this year’s Lunar New Year period.
Thailand’s tourism sector is experiencing a robust recovery, driven by government initiatives such as promotional campaigns and relaxed visa policies aimed at attracting visitors, particularly from key markets like China. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses are preparing to meet the growing demand, with many reporting increased bookings and heightened interest in their services.
For 2025, the Thai government expects to welcome 7.3 million Chinese tourists, generating around 450 billion baht of revenue for Thai entrepreneurs. Additionally, during the Chinese New Year 2025 period, tourism revenues are expected to exceed 40 billion baht, driven by a surge in Chinese visitors. It is estimated that 287,000 Chinese tourists will arrive during the holiday, a 7% increase from the previous year.
Overall, Chinese tourism is expected to play a significant role in Thailand’s economy in 2025, with the government aiming to attract a total of 40 million foreign tourists and generate 3.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue.
Chinese New Year in Thailand
Chinese New Year is celebrated in Thailand with vibrant festivities that blend traditional Chinese customs with Thai culture. In Bangkok, the celebrations are particularly lively, especially in the city’s vibrant Chinatown, where locals light firecrackers, participate in dragon and lion dances, and adorn their homes and businesses with red banners and lanterns bearing auspicious messages.
The color red holds significant importance during these celebrations, symbolizing vitality, celebration, good fortune, good luck, and prosperity. Families gather for sumptuous feasts featuring symbolic dishes and offer prayers to their ancestors with food, incense, and paper gifts. Temples across the city are filled with devotees seeking blessings for the new year, highlighting Thailand’s multicultural harmony and respect for diverse traditions.
In 2025, Chinese New Year in Bangkok will be celebrated from January 27 to January 29. While it is not an official national holiday in Thailand, the celebrations often last two to three days and include firework displays, performances from dancers and acrobats, and beautifully crafted Chinese paper lanterns hung outside homes and buildings.
The date of Chinese New Year varies each year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2024, it fell on February 10, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Dragon. The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac correspond to each year, and each animal is associated with specific traits and characteristics.
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