Thailand Surpasses Over Ten Million Visitors With Songkran Festival Driving Explosive Growth And Unmatched Global Travel Buzz - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Thailand surpasses ten million tourist arrivals in 2025 as the vibrant Songkran Festival fuels record growth, massive spending, and soaring international demand.

Thailand Celebrates Over 10.7 Million Tourist Arrivals in 2025 as Songkran Festival Sparks Travel Boom

Thailand has welcomed approximately ten point seven million international tourists so far in 2025, with over 666,000 arriving during the lively Songkran festival week, as confirmed by a recent government statement. on April 15. The influx of tourists has generated more than 510 billion baht in tourism revenue, underscoring the country’s strong recovery and the success of its latest tourism campaigns.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong credited the surge in arrivals to the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, which wrapped up its official festivities yesterday. The Thai New Year celebration, held nationwide from April 13 to 15, transformed cities across the country into vibrant hubs of activity. Key celebration hotspots included Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Hat Yai, which drew international crowds eager to experience one of Thailand’s most iconic cultural events.

Tourism Surges During Songkran Week

The Songkran period witnessed a notable 17.61% increase in short-haul group travel compared to the previous week. This growth was largely fueled by tourists from China and India, while arrivals from long-haul markets such as Germany and France also climbed due to overlapping European spring holidays.

From April 8 to 14, Thailand welcomed 666,180 international visitors, reflecting a strong 10.73 percent rise compared to the previous week’s figures. On average, the country received around 95,169 foreign visitors per day during this festive period.

Malaysia led the top five source markets with 102,106 tourists, followed by China (82,274), India (55,158), Russia (40,283), and the UK (32,199).Tourist arrivals surged from several key markets, with China up by 28.2%, India increasing by 23.56%, Malaysia growing by 10.67%, and Russia rising by 8.4%. However, arrivals from the United Kingdom dropped by 8.49%.

Festivals Drive Economic Impact and Visitor Experience

Bangkok was the epicenter of the Songkran festivities. Iconic locations like Silom Road and Khao San Road drew massive crowds, with a combined 651,295 participants. Silom welcomed 256,667 revelers, while Khao San attracted 394,628. Sanam Luang, one of the key festival hubs, drew impressive crowds and witnessed vibrant participation throughout the celebrations.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that the Songkran event at Sanam Luang alone contributed roughly 1.7 billion baht in tourism-related revenue. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool noted that areas like Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Sanam Luang received immense interest, with 523,456 Thai nationals and 34,559 foreign tourists attending during the first three days of the festival.

A Strong Start to 2025 for Thai Tourism

From January 1 to April 13, Thailand recorded 10.73 million international arrivals, resulting in tourism earnings of 516.58 billion baht. China topped the list with 1.47 million visitors, followed by Malaysia (1.33 million), Russia (801,532), India (631,820), and South Korea (533,752).

Looking Ahead

Although a seasonal dip in international arrivals is anticipated post-Songkran, the government plans to focus on attracting more European tourists during the spring holiday window to maintain momentum. The Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sport Year 2025 campaign includes several visitor-friendly policies, such as eliminating the TM.6 immigration form and encouraging airlines to boost international connectivity.

With cultural festivals, visa facilitation, and strategic marketing driving momentum, Thailand is poised to sustain strong visitor numbers in the months ahead—solidifying its status as one of Asia’s most vibrant and welcoming tourist destinations.