15 million tourists and counting… But expats say: “It doesn’t feel like a boom on the ground.” PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand has welcomed over 15 million foreign tourists between January 1 and June 8, 2025, according to new data released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. But while officials highlight the figures as a sign of sustained recovery, many long-time residents and business owners paint a very different picture of tourism on the ground. The Official Numbers Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong announced that Thailand recorded 15,016,878 international arrivals, generating an estimated 699.3 billion baht in tourism revenue during the first five months of the year — a slight 2.87% decrease compared to the same period last year. The top five source countries for inbound tourists are: Malaysia – 2,041,002 China – 2,029,481 India – 1,035,864 Russia – 981,011 South Korea – 702,267 In the most recent weekly report (June 2–8), arrivals averaged 80,826 tourists per day, with Malaysia again leading the chart at 114,018 visitors for the week, followed by China and India. Officials expect a further uptick in June due to factors like the easing of visa rules, upcoming promotional campaigns under the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, and improved flight connectivity. Thailand welcomes over 15 million tourists in first five months of 2025, generating nearly 700 billion baht in revenue despite a slight 2.87% dip from last year — Minister Sorawong reports. But What Are People Saying? Despite the glowing government reports, skepticism is growing online. Comments from expats, digital nomads, and local business operators on social media reflect widespread doubt — and frustration. “This is what you call a BS report. Fake news,” one commenter wrote on Facebook. “I was there Jan, Feb, April, and May — tourism was down,” added another. “Understand high/low season… I’ve worked in Thailand for 30 years. Tourism is in bad shape.” Several pointed to anecdotal evidence like quiet beaches, struggling guesthouses, and shuttered nightlife venues in areas once booming with foot traffic. “Thailand has gotten expensive. I think I’ll go to Cambodia next time,” one foreigner posted, echoing concerns over rising prices, dual pricing, and the strong baht making Thailand less attractive to budget-conscious travelers. Another user suggested, “Bali is the best… Thailand isn’t what it used to be.” While some still express affection for the country — “I love Thailand,” one said — others questioned the credibility of the data. Malaysia, China, India lead the tourist surge, yet local businesses claim spending isn’t keeping up. A Case of Two Realities There appears to be a growing gap between macro-level statistics and micro-level sentiment. While the government highlights total arrivals and overall revenue, expats and small business owners focus more on spending per head, length of stay, and visible changes in traveler behavior. Some analysts suggest that short-haul arrivals from neighboring countries — particularly Malaysia — may be inflating the headline numbers without significantly boosting local economies. These travelers often come for brief stays, sometimes just day trips, with limited spending on accommodation or high-value services. Meanwhile, traditional long-haul markets like Europe or North America — which historically contribute more in terms of spending per tourist — remain relatively subdued. This divide raises a key question for Thailand’s tourism strategy: should the focus remain on quantity, or shift toward quality and sustainability? Tourism is back? Not everyone agrees — many long-timers call the numbers “misleading.” Big numbers, small impact? Thailand’s tourism tally hits 15M, but some say the real economy tells a different story.