China is seeking to increase the number of scheduled flights to Thailand
Scheduled Flights to Thailand: List of Airlines
Thailand is a major hub for international travel, with numerous airlines operating scheduled flights to its main airports, including Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport), Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Here’s a list of airlines that frequently operate flights to Thailand:
- Thai Airways
- Bangkok Airways
- China Southern Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Air China
- Hainan Airlines
- Spring Airlines
- Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong)
- Singapore Airlines (via Singapore)
- Qatar Airways (via Doha)
- Emirates (via Dubai)
- Japan Airlines (via Tokyo)
- Korean Air (via Seoul)
- AirAsia (low-cost carrier)
- Scoot (low-cost carrier)
Many of these airlines offer direct or connecting flights from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu to Thailand.
Data on Thailand Tourists from China
- Pre-Pandemic Numbers: In 2019, Thailand welcomed 11 million Chinese tourists, making China the largest source of international visitors.
- Post-Pandemic Recovery: In 2023, Chinese tourists began returning to Thailand in significant numbers, with over 2 million arrivals recorded by mid-year.
- Spending: Chinese tourists are among the top spenders in Thailand, contributing significantly to the tourism economy through shopping, dining, and luxury experiences.
- Popular Destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya are the most visited cities by Chinese tourists.
- Travel Preferences: Chinese travelers favor group tours, family trips, and luxury experiences, with a growing interest in eco-tourism and cultural immersion.
Trends for Chinese Tourists in Thailand (2025)
Here are 7 key trends expected to shape Chinese tourism in Thailand by 2025:
- Rise of Independent Travelers
- More Chinese tourists are opting for FIT (Free Independent Travel) over traditional group tours, seeking personalized and unique experiences.
- Luxury and Boutique Experiences
- Affluent Chinese travelers are increasingly drawn to high-end resorts, private villas, and bespoke tours, especially in destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui.
- Eco-Tourism and Sustainability
- Chinese tourists are becoming more environmentally conscious, favoring eco-friendly accommodations and activities like jungle trekking, snorkeling, and visits to ethical elephant sanctuaries.
- Health and Wellness Tourism
- Thailand’s wellness retreats, spas, and medical tourism offerings (e.g., dental care, cosmetic procedures) are gaining popularity among Chinese travelers.
- Cultural Immersion
- There’s a growing interest in authentic Thai culture, including cooking classes, temple visits, and local festivals.
- Social Media-Driven Travel
- Instagrammable destinations and experiences (e.g., floating markets, rooftop bars, and beach clubs) are highly sought after by Chinese tourists, who love sharing their travels on platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
- Digital Convenience
- Chinese travelers expect seamless digital experiences, including mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay), online booking platforms, and Chinese-language apps for navigation and reviews.
Key Takeaways for Thailand’s Tourism Industry
- Language Services: Increasing the availability of Mandarin-speaking staff and Chinese-language materials.
- Payment Systems: Expanding the use of Alipay and WeChat Pay in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
- Marketing: Leveraging Chinese social media platforms to promote Thailand’s attractions and experiences.
- Safety and Hygiene: Maintaining high standards to reassure Chinese tourists post-pandemic.
By aligning with these trends, Thailand can continue to attract and delight Chinese tourists, ensuring its position as one of their top travel destinations.
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According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has taken the initiative to propose raising the number of scheduled flights between China and Thailand from three per week to 15 next month (CAAT).
The CAAT claims that it last week received a formal letter from the CAAC looking into the prospect of boosting the quantity of regularly scheduled passenger flights between the two nations.
According to the CAAT, China stated that it anticipates 15 flights per week from Thailand beginning in September. China also requested that Thailand take into account boosting the frequency of flights in the opposite way.
In the letter, the CAAC requested that the CAAT provide a plan for the flight routes that Thai airlines wish to use in order to determine if the relevant Chinese airports can accommodate the additional flights in light of the present COVID prevention strategy. For the time being, China does not let extra flights to certain cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
In order to acquire information on needs and interest in flying to China, the CAAT invited Thai airlines to a meeting on August 18. the CAAT reported
“Next week, the CAAC is anticipated to receive the flight plan. By the end of September, we hope to hear back from the CAAC.”
If approved, the flights might start up again by the end of the next month.
Although Chinese tourists were the largest foreign tourist group in Thailand before to the pandemic, the CAAT dispelled the notion that they would board these additional flights to return to Thailand. Due to China’s ongoing tight efforts against COVID-19, the increased flights would only be for important voyages like business trips and overseas student travel.
On August 19, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his country’s decision to halt the COVID epidemic by lifting the emergency decree and dissolving the COVID management authority (CCSA) on October 1.
Beginning on October 1st, 2022, Thailand will also expand the length of the tourist visa from no more than 30 days to no more than 45 days, as well as the length of the visa on arrival from no more than 15 days to no more than 30 days.
News of Thai Smile’s comeback to three Chinese cities was announced as early as late June on well-known websites like Weibo and TikTok. The flight’s WE684 schedule called for a 7:45 am departure from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and a 12:05 pm arrival at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG).
Regional airline Thai Smile, a unit of Thai Airways International, flies short- to medium-distance services. In 2012, it began operating its first overseas flights. According to its website, the fleet consists of 20 aircraft (Airbus A320-200 and A320-200SL) that go to Chinese destinations like Changsha, Chongqing, and Zhengzhou. Thai Smile flew three times per week between Bangkok and Chongqing in 2013. However, due to the epidemic, it has taken action, like other foreign airlines, to reduce or cancel its flights to China as of February 2020.
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