Thailand’s December Long Weekend Brings Over 2.5 Million Domestic Trips Projected To Generate Over Ten Billion Baht In Revenue As Families And Tourists Flock To Popular Destinations

Published on December 2, 2025

Thailand’s December Long Weekend is expected to create over 2.5 million domestic trips and produce over ten billion bahts in tourism revenue. December Long Weekend coincides with National Day and Father’s day holiday which urges consumers to travel to popular tourist destinations located all over the country. This travel is supported encouragement from the government and the popularity of both new and old travel destinations. This travel is expected to create an immense benefit to the tourism sector of the Thailand economy.

Thailand’s tourism industry is gearing up for a major boost as the country prepares for the long weekend from December 5-7, 2025, marking the birthday anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, which is also observed as National Day and Father’s Day. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has projected a significant uptick in domestic travel, with an estimated 2.52 million trips expected to take place, generating a total of 10.32 billion baht in tourism revenue. Hotel occupancy across the country is also forecasted to reach an average of 68%, signaling strong consumer confidence and travel sentiment.

The surge in travel during this period is attributed to several factors, including the extended long weekend, the earlier arrival of cooler weather compared to last year, and ongoing government initiatives aimed at boosting domestic tourism. As part of these initiatives, TAT has emphasized measures designed to encourage both travel and spending, particularly among Thai tourists. Approximately 42% of hotel bookings during this period are expected to come from domestic travelers, with families making up a large portion of the tourist demographic.

Key Travel Trends for the Long Weekend

The majority of Thai travelers are expected to take short-distance trips, typically within their own province or to nearby destinations. This aligns with the findings of a recent survey by the Tourism Council of Thailand, which indicated that 56% of Thai respondents planned to travel during the long weekend. Most travelers will opt for leisure activities, family gatherings, dining, and merit-making to commemorate the late King’s birthday.

Key regions seeing the highest number of domestic travelers include:

• Central region: Expected to see 612,700 trips
• Northeast: Forecasted to generate 526,800 trips
• East: Projected to receive 516,500 trips

Revenue Generating Regions and Major Cities

In terms of tourism revenue, the East is set to lead, with an estimated 2.72 billion baht expected to be generated from domestic travel. Other regions such as the North and Central Thailand are also poised to make significant contributions, with expected revenues of 1.96 billion baht and 1.60 billion baht, respectively.

The cities most popular among Thai travelers include:

1. Bangkok
2. Chonburi
3. Kanchanaburi
4. Chiang Mai
5. Nakhon Ratchasima

Meanwhile, a number of emerging destinations are also anticipated to benefit from the holiday travel surge. These regions include:

• Suphan Buri
• Udon Thani
• Chiang Rai
• Loei
• Nakhon Si Thammarat

These emerging areas are drawing increased attention from travelers looking for less crowded, off-the-beaten-path destinations that still offer rich cultural and natural attractions.

Supportive Factors Driving Travel Demand

The positive outlook for domestic tourism can be attributed to several supporting factors that have encouraged Thai travelers to explore their own country:

• Government Support: Various tourism stimulus measures have been implemented to incentivize travel within the country. These include special discounts, promotions, and packages tailored to both domestic tourists and business operators in the tourism sector.
• Special Tourism Events: A number of unique tourism events and campaigns have been organized to coincide with the long weekend. These include cultural festivals, local fairs, and special train services, making travel more accessible and enjoyable for all types of tourists.
• Cooler Weather: This year, the cooler weather is arriving earlier than it did in 2024, providing a more comfortable environment for outdoor and nature-based activities.
• Special Holiday Train Services: To cater to the increase in domestic travel, special holiday train services have been scheduled to accommodate the higher volume of travelers heading to popular destinations.

Challenges to Overcome

While the outlook for domestic tourism is positive, there are still several challenges that may impact travel plans during the holiday season:

• High Cost of Living and Rising Household Debt: Thailand continues to grapple with economic challenges, including high living costs and rising household debt levels. This may limit the spending power of some potential travelers, especially in the higher-income brackets.
• Outbound Travel Surge: In addition to domestic travel, many working-age Thais are expected to take annual leave to travel abroad during the December holiday season. This could create a surge in outbound travel that may reduce the number of domestic tourists in certain regions.
• Flooding in the Lower South: The southern regions of Thailand, particularly areas like Hat Yai and Songkhla, have been affected by recent flooding. Several popular tourism destinations in these areas are still dealing with the aftermath, which may result in a reduction in visitor numbers to these regions.

Despite the challenges, Thailand’s domestic tourism sector remains optimistic about the upcoming long weekend in December 2025. With an expected 2.52 million domestic trips, the holiday is set to provide a significant economic boost, benefitting hotels, restaurants, and various other businesses within the tourism sector. As travelers flock to destinations across the country, both well-established and emerging regions will experience increased revenue and tourism activity, further solidifying the resilience of Thailand’s tourism industry.

Thailand’s December long weekend is expected to generate over 2.5 million domestic trips and more than ten billion baht in revenue, driven by cooler weather, government support, and strong local travel demand during the holiday. Families and tourists are flocking to popular destinations, fueling a significant boost to the nation’s tourism sector.

The positive travel trends and government-backed initiatives highlight the importance of domestic tourism as a key driver of growth, even amidst external challenges like rising outbound travel and natural disasters. Moving forward, Thailand’s tourism industry is expected to continue benefiting from the combined efforts of government support and an ever-growing interest in local travel experiences.