India Joins Japan, Uzbekistan, China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, And Other Countries In Fast-Tracking Thailand Tourism Growth During The First Ten Months Of 2025, Leading To Record Visitor Numbers

Published on November 29, 2025

India joins Japan, Uzbekistan, China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and other countries in fast-tracking Thailand’s tourism growth in 2025, contributing to a remarkable 22.64% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers. The significant rise in South Asian travelers, alongside new flight routes and enhanced connectivity, reflects Thailand’s successful tourism policies and strategic focus on diversifying its source markets. As the country sees expanded air connections and a growing number of visitors from emerging markets, Thailand is poised to maintain its position as one of Asia’s top destinations. This surge in arrivals is expected to continue driving economic growth, bolstered by key international events and a broader global tourism recovery, ensuring Thailand’s status as a leading travel hub for years to come.

Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing an unprecedented surge, fueled by an influx of visitors from key South Asian markets. With India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka leading the charge, the Southeast Asian nation is enjoying one of its most significant tourism booms in recent history. Between January and November 2025, Thailand welcomed nearly 29 million international tourists, generating approximately 1.34 trillion baht in revenue. The most notable factor driving this surge is the rise in arrivals from countries such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea, with India emerging as a crucial player in this growth trajectory.

In this article, we will explore the factors contributing to the remarkable growth in Thailand’s tourism, the new flight routes that are enhancing accessibility, and the countries that are playing a pivotal role in this tourism boom.

Record-Breaking Numbers: The Surge from South Asia

Tourism from South Asia to Thailand has skyrocketed in 2025, with South Asian visitors contributing significantly to the overall tourist numbers. India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in particular, have shown exceptional growth in travel to Thailand, with an average of 535,000 visitors per month. This surge has been primarily driven by increasing demand for affordable and accessible travel options, coupled with Thailand’s tourism policies that have successfully encouraged international travel.

• India: India has long been one of Thailand’s most important tourism markets. In 2025, the Indian market has grown by 18.34%, with over 535,000 visitors per month arriving from the country. IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost carrier, has played a significant role by expanding its services to secondary cities in Thailand, including Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, and Hat Yai, to accommodate the rising demand.
• Pakistan: Pakistan has seen the highest growth rate in the South Asian region, with a staggering 27.57% increase in visitors traveling to Thailand. Pakistan’s growing middle class and increased affordability have led to greater interest in Thailand as a preferred travel destination.
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has also contributed significantly to the tourism surge, with a 22.92% growth rate in arrivals. This boost comes as a result of strengthened air connectivity and Thailand’s appeal as a safe and affordable destination for Sri Lankan tourists.

This surge from South Asia accounts for a significant portion of Thailand’s tourism growth in 2025. With the continued rise in demand, Thailand’s tourism sector is poised to thrive well beyond 2025, fostering a more diversified international visitor base.

Expanding Flight Routes: Facilitating Increased Connectivity

In response to the rising demand, Thailand’s aviation sector has been ramping up its flight routes and services. India’s IndiGo has spearheaded this development by requesting new flight routes to Thailand’s secondary cities. As a result, Thai aviation is now better connected to the growing South Asian market, providing more options for travelers.

• New International and Domestic Routes: During the 2025/2026 winter flight schedule, several new routes are being launched, including direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Riyadh, Almaty, Sendai, Chongqing, and Tianjin. Additionally, Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) will see the reopening of direct flights to Hong Kong and Los Angeles. This marks the return of U.S.-based airlines to Thailand after an 11-year hiatus, following the country’s recent upgrade to CAT 1 safety standards.
• Increasing Frequency to Popular Destinations: With international arrivals growing, airlines are increasing flight frequencies to key destinations. The SEA Games 2025 and ASEAN Para Games 2025, both set to take place in Thailand in December, are expected to further drive up passenger traffic, benefiting both passenger volumes and flight frequencies.

These strategic expansions are critical in meeting the needs of a growing tourist base, enhancing accessibility for travelers from Asia and beyond.

Thailand’s Tourism Breakdown: Top Source Countries

Between January and November 2025, Thailand’s tourism sector recorded nearly 29 million international visitors. Despite a 7.18% overall decline compared to 2024, the markets showing robust growth, including South Asia, have played a key role in this dynamic shift.

• Malaysia: Thailand’s closest neighbor, Malaysia, continues to be the leading source market for visitors. With over 4 million arrivals, Malaysia remains a vital contributor to Thailand’s tourism growth.
• China: As Thailand’s second-largest source market, China contributed around 4 million visitors in 2025. The strong resurgence in Chinese tourism is a testament to the country’s increasing appetite for travel following the lifting of travel restrictions.
• India: India ranks third among Thailand’s key source markets, cementing its role as a leading player in the country’s tourism surge. The growth in Indian visitors is expected to continue with increasing disposable income and stronger connectivity between the two nations.

Other notable countries contributing to Thailand’s tourism growth include South Korea, Japan, Russia, and South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These markets, coupled with emerging high-potential regions like Saudi Arabia and Russia, will be crucial in sustaining Thailand’s tourism expansion.

High-Growth Markets: Emerging Players in Thailand’s Tourism Industry

While traditional markets like China and Malaysia remain crucial to Thailand’s tourism, several emerging markets are showing promising growth. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Israel are increasingly becoming a focal point for Thailand’s tourism strategy. These regions, particularly Saudi Arabia and Russia, are becoming key players in terms of high-spending tourists.

• Saudi Arabia: The kingdom has been a significant contributor to the recent uptick in tourism, thanks to increased flight connections and growing interest in Thailand’s tourism offerings. The affluent Saudi tourist demographic is particularly attracted to Thailand’s luxury hotels, shopping, and cultural experiences.
• Russia: Russia’s growth in travel to Thailand is especially notable, with arrivals from Russia rising significantly in recent years. As international air connectivity improves, Russian tourists are flocking to Thailand’s beaches and resorts, contributing to a booming tourism sector.
• CIS Countries (e.g., Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan): Countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are also emerging as important markets. Uzbekistan, for example, has seen a 128% increase in arrivals, highlighting the potential of this market for future tourism growth.

Strategic Focus Areas: Diversification and New Routes

Thailand is strategically diversifying its tourism base through initiatives such as visa exemptions and new routes to boost arrivals from markets like the CIS countries, the Middle East, and China. These efforts align with the government’s goal to attract 33-40 million annual visitors by 2027.

• Visa Exemptions: Thailand has introduced visa exemptions for certain countries to further encourage tourism. This initiative aims to increase the number of travelers from markets that show high growth potential, such as the CIS, Middle East, and Chinese markets.
• New Routes and Expansion: Thailand is actively expanding its air connectivity to tap into new tourism markets. The launch of new international flights and increased domestic routes will allow for better access to key tourism destinations and ensure continued growth for the sector.

The diversification strategy is crucial in helping Thailand recover from the broader global tourism downturn, positioning itself as a leading destination for travelers from across the world.

The Future Outlook: Thailand’s Tourism Resilience

Looking ahead, Thailand’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth, thanks to its strategic focus on expanding flight routes, enhancing accessibility, and catering to emerging markets. With the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games on the horizon, the country is set to see a surge in visitor numbers, especially from markets like South Asia, the Middle East, and CIS countries.

Thailand’s robust tourism policies, combined with expanding air connectivity and the rise of high-spending markets, position the country to maintain its status as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations. As South Asian markets, particularly India, continue to contribute significantly to Thailand’s tourism growth, the country is well on track to recover fully by the end of 2025.

Top Source Countries Driving Thailand’s Tourism Growth

• Malaysia
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Japan
• Russia
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Uzbekistan
• Azerbaijan

These countries are at the forefront of Thailand’s tourism resurgence, each playing a vital role in shaping the nation’s visitor numbers and helping Thailand stay on track to achieve its ambitious tourism goals for the coming years.

Thailand’s tourism sector is experiencing an extraordinary resurgence, fueled by a strong influx of visitors from key South Asian markets, including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This growth, coupled with expanded flight routes and strategic initiatives targeting emerging markets, has propelled Thailand to the forefront of global travel destinations. The increase in arrivals from both established and new markets highlights the effectiveness of Thailand’s tourism policies and its growing appeal across diverse demographics.

With over 29 million visitors in 2025 and substantial revenue generation, Thailand is on track to achieve its goal of becoming a major global tourism hub. The country’s focus on enhancing accessibility, diversifying source markets, and capitalizing on high-growth regions such as the CIS, Middle East, and Russia will continue to drive this momentum. As Thailand prepares to host high-profile events like the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, the tourism sector is poised to thrive, offering both economic benefits and a vibrant cultural exchange for years to come.

India joins Japan, Uzbekistan, China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and other countries in fast-tracking Thailand’s tourism growth in 2025, contributing to a 22.64% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers. This surge is driven by growing demand from South Asian markets and expanded flight connectivity, positioning Thailand as a top destination in Asia.

Thailand’s commitment to expanding its tourism infrastructure and strengthening international relationships sets it on a path to long-term growth, ensuring that it remains a top choice for travelers worldwide.