Chinese arrivals to Thailand dropped to 49,494 during the week of October 18-24, a 24% decline from the previous week, following a safety advisory issued by China's embassy on October 16.
The warning cited cases of Chinese nationals who went missing, were unlawfully detained, or were lured toward the Thailand-Myanmar border. The embassy also cautioned travelers about fraudulent job offers and business investment invitations.
The timing disrupted what had been a promising recovery. Minor Hotels reported Chinese room nights booked across its Thailand portfolio were 78% ahead of Golden Week compared to the same period last year. The decline came roughly two weeks after Golden Week began.
Thai officials attributed the drop to post-holiday seasonality and weakened confidence following the embassy advisory. Lunar New Year 2027, scheduled for early February, will indicate whether the decline proves temporary or signals prolonged damage to Thailand's China rebound.