Thailand's tourism market is a major global player, with 2024 seeing roughly 35.5 million international visitors and generating around US$42.7 billion in revenue. It is one of Asia's top tourism earners, aiming for a full recovery to 2019's peak of ~40 million visitors and eyeing massive future growth.
In 2019, Thailand received 39.8 million international tourists, ahead of the United Kingdom and Germany, and received fourth-highest international tourism earnings, at US$60.5 billion. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism rebounded to similar levels.
Today, a Second World country is one that falls in between the poverty of developing nations and the prosperity of developed nations. These countries (Turkey, Thailand, and South Africa for example) are growing economically but aren't quite to the level of developed countries in North America and Europe.
Europe dominates the top ranks, with Spain ($106.5 billion), the UK ($82.5 billion), France ($77 billion), and Italy ($58.7 billion) all drawing in major tourism income. Japan ($54.7 billion), China ($39.7 billion), and Thailand ($42.7 billion) round out Asia's biggest earners.
The United Kingdom is the 10th most visited country in the world and the 6th most visited country in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic affected tourism in the United Kingdom.
Thailand’s Tourism Slow Down - What Nobody Wants to Admit
Is Thai a rich or poor country?
Thailand is an upper-middle-income country, ranking as the 73rd richest economy per capita out of 145 studied. Its 70.2 million inhabitants have a GDP per capita of $7,335 ($23,981 PPP; 2023).
Violent crime, including gun crime, rarely involves tourists. However, several foreign nationals were victims of gun violence in Bangkok in 2018. Take care when travelling in unfamiliar areas and avoid walking through isolated areas alone, especially at night.
Additionally, investments in key industries such as electric vehicles, future food, renewable energy, and the Health & Wellness sector will further support this growth; and (v) Thailand's exports may experience low growth due to the economic slowdown in trading partner countries.
In 2023, almost 900 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the country had an estimated $30 million or more in wealth. You would be among Thailand's top 1% of earners if you earned between $7000 and $11,000 monthly, mostly in real estate, finance, banking, manufacturing and tourism.
When visiting Thailand, DO greet with a wai, dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered) at temples, remove shoes before entering homes/temples, respect Buddha images, smile, and learn "mai pen rai" (no worries), but DON'T touch heads (most sacred), point with feet (dirtiest part), disrespect the King/Buddhism, get angry in public, touch monks (women especially), or vape (it's illegal). Always carry cash, respect traffic, and get proper insurance for activities like scooter riding.
Thailand's foreign tourists declined last year by 7.2% to 32.97 million, the Tourism and Sports Ministry reports, dropping for the first time since 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. The number has dipped almost 20% from its peak in 2019.
1. Kiribati. Kiribati – a remote island nation in the Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean – is the least-visited country in the world. Its 33 atolls and islands straddle the equator, sitting just above sea level, making them among the world's most climate-vulnerable.
