At the 30th Thai International Travel Fair in Bangkok, China’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage captured the attention of tourists from across Southeast Asia, inviting them to experience the allure of this ancient country.
The 2025 Thai International Travel Fair, which opened on Thursday afternoon, attracted over 500 tourism-related businesses from around the world. China was the guest country of honor at the fair, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.
“I’ve had a fantastic experience visiting the booths showcasing famous Chinese tourism destinations. It has helped me plan my trip, and I even got to try some local food and see handicrafts,” said Nam Sitanant, a 51-year-old Thai resident. Nam, who has visited China twice, described her trips to Beijing and Southwest Yunnan province as unforgettable experiences due to their unique cultures and landscapes. “As China and Thailand are close neighbors, I hope to explore more of China in the future,” she added.
China was Thailand’s largest source of foreign tourists last year, with over 6.73 million Chinese visitors generating a total revenue of 378 billion baht ($10.93 billion), according to Thai tourism authorities.
“The number of Thai tourists visiting China has also seen significant growth over the past year. China is becoming one of the top travel destinations for Thais,” said Han Zhiqiang, the Chinese ambassador to Thailand.
In the past year, China has improved its visa policies for foreign tourists, offering various measures to facilitate travel. This includes full visa exemptions for 25 countries, trial unilateral visa exemptions for 38 countries, and transit visa exemptions for 54 countries.
