Thai Media: China Rises as Top Overseas Destination for Thais
According to data from Trip.com in 2025, since the mutual visa exemption between Thailand and China took effect in March 2024, China has become the preferred destination for Thai outbound travelers. Expanded flight routes, competitive package pricing, and the widespread adoption of payment and language apps have further removed barriers for Thai tourists visiting China.
Chongqing is the most searched city, with page views up 395% year-on-year and bookings surging by 828%. Its spicy cuisine closely aligns with Thai taste preferences, while its mountainous terrain and neon-lit urban scenery offer high social media shareability, attracting a large number of Thai visitors. Chengdu is similarly favored due to its rich culinary culture.
The influence of social media cannot be overlooked. In 2025, 45% of Thai travelers discovered travel inspiration through KOL posts—a significant increase from 28% the previous year—and bookings made directly via KOL promo codes grew by 120%. The active Thai-language communities on Xiaohongshu provide travel planning resources for visiting China that are comparable to those available for traveling to Japan.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865762051650827/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.