Zero tourists came to Thailand in April
Thailand received a grand total of zero inbound tourists in April.
It welcomed no foreign tourists for the first time ever due to the halting of all scheduled inbound flights and lockdowns around the world.
It contrasts sharply with the more than three million arrivals last year generating THB146 billion in tourism-related spending.
Thai authorities said spending was zero although there are still a few tourists and a large expat community particularly in Bangkok and Phuket.
Although limited domestic flight services have resumed, the Thai airline industry has been hit hard.
Flag carrier Thai Airways has filed for bankuptcy protection and low cost airline Thai AirAsia said it has been seeking a possible merger to survive the global travel downturn.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand doesn’t expect a tourism rebound until later this year.
"It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists in the fourth quarter of this year," TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn told CNN.
Yuthasak says when tourism resumes, it will likely begin with certain destinations, such as islands, where any possible ‘second wave’ can be better contained.
"We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled — for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui," Yuthasak said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026