Thailand attracts 12 million tourists: big festivals are coming!

Thailand attracts 12 million tourists: big festivals are coming!

Thailand wants to increase the number of international visitors to 12 million by the end of 2025. This comes despite a predicted 7% decline in arrivals compared to last year. The government plans to reach a tourism revenue target of 580 billion baht through a variety of events and festivals. The upcoming events in Chiang Mai are particularly interesting and are expected to attract local participants and tourists alike.  Travel and Tour World reports on these exciting plans.

The “Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival” is one of the main attractions. It will be celebrated in Khlong Ong Ang and Phahurat from October 16 to 20, 2025, with over 100,000 visitors expected, mostly from India. The city of Sukhothai will also be part of the major “Maha Loy Krathong World Event 2025”, which will take place from October 27th to November 5th. Over 450,000 participants are expected here, generating an estimated turnover of around 800 million baht.

A variety of events to boost tourism

The most important event for Chiang Mai is likely to be the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025”, which is aiming for 150,000 visitors by the turn of the year. But these aren't the only events Thailand has to offer in the second half of the year. From November 1 to December 15, the “Vijit Chao Phraya” will be held on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors and expected to generate 500 million baht. And on November 30, the Amazing Thailand Marathon 2025 is expected in Bangkok with about 36,000 participants, also promising a significant economic impact at 894 million baht.

These events are not only a way for Thailand to attract tourists but also to stimulate the economy. In the first quarter of 2025, Thailand already recorded 12.09 million international tourists, although this represents a slight decrease of 0.26% compared to the previous year, said Road Genius. However, tourism revenue increased by 5.24% and amounted to 576.85 billion baht.

Global challenge and local attractiveness

It is estimated that Thailand will attract between 36 and 40 million international tourists in 2025. The average daily spending of international guests was the equivalent of around $160 in 2024, making the country one of the most visited travel destinations in the world. The most beautiful beaches, the rich culture and the attractive travel options contribute significantly to this popularity. Of particular note are the five main countries of international visitors: China, Malaysia, India, Russia and Singapore, such as countrydata.info notes.

Although the tourism sector is slowly recovering after the challenging years of the pandemic, there are still important trends that should be noted. A 5% increase is expected for 2026, which could result in total sales of about 2.79 trillion baht. To further position Thailand as a leading destination in Southeast Asia, a greater focus will be placed on cultural tourism and event-based strategies.

So if you're traveling to Chiang Mai in the coming months, be prepared: booking accommodation and transport well in advance is key! So nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable experience in the heart of Thailand.