(Yicai Global) July 14 -- The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the first half of this year was less than predicted and far lower than in the same period of 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

About 1.4 million Chinese tourists headed to Thailand in the six months ended June 30, the Southeast Asian country’s data showed. China, once its largest source of tourists with 11 million annual visitors, ranked second after Malaysia's 2.1 million and was followed by South Korea, India, Vietnam, and Russia.

Based on current trends, it will be difficult for Thailand to achieve its annual target of 5 million to 7 million Chinese tourists, according to Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Thai Travel Agents Association.

In his view, the key reason for the dearth of Chinese visitors is that Thailand has stepped up the inspection of entry visas for Chinese tourists. Chinese people must provide a lot of materials to apply for a Thai tourist visa, or line up at airport customs for one on arrival.

Chinese tourists are also very concerned for their safety in Thailand. Visitors need to watch out for water-related and traffic accidents, Intira, a tour guide on the Thai island of Phuket, told Yicai Global.

Chinese tourist numbers were lower than expected because of the relatively weak economic recovery and their growing reluctance to travel, said Zhou Shixin, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. But the overall number is still not insignificant, Zhou noted.

More Chinese tourists will go to Thailand this half, according to Amonthep Chawla, head of research at CIMB Thai Bank. This will directly benefit local accomodation, medical tourism, and other sectors, Chawla pointed out.

Editor: Martin Kadiev