Impact of Recent Earthquake on Thailand's Tourism Industry

Rahaman Hadisur
Apr 2
2 min read

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

Thailand's tourism sector is facing significant challenges following a recent earthquake, with rising concerns over safety and a noticeable decline in tourist confidence. According to Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), early hotel checkouts have surged by 8-10% nationwide, particularly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Ayutthaya. As a result, many tourists are altering their travel plans, opting instead for destinations like Pattaya and Phuket.

Tourism and Economic Impact

The THA anticipates that this incident will influence foreign tourists' confidence for at least the next two weeks, affecting both those who have already booked trips and those still considering their travel options. Consequently, hotel and tourism revenue is expected to decline by 10-15%.

“The earthquake will likely dampen the Songkran tourism atmosphere, making it more subdued than in previous years. We estimate that it will take at least a month for the situation to return to normal,” Thienprasit stated.

Safety Concerns and Government Response

A key concern stemming from the earthquake is the viral circulation of footage showing the collapse of the State Audit Office in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. This has further fueled anxiety about structural safety in Thailand.

To reassure tourists, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed a nationwide inspection of hotels to enhance safety measures. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and THA have collaborated to deploy over 4,000 engineers for structural assessments, and hotels passing these inspections will be publicly listed to boost traveler confidence. While large hotels have their own teams for inspections, smaller hotels may require government support to meet safety requirements.

Thailand had initially set a goal to attract 39-40 million foreign visitors in 2024. However, following the earthquake, this target appears increasingly difficult to achieve. Thienprasit projects that foreign arrivals may only match last year's figure of 35.54 million visitors.

“If foreign tourist numbers fall short, we must stimulate domestic tourism to compensate,” he said. He suggested government initiatives like the 'Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng' co-payment scheme to boost local travel demand.

Long-Term Tourism Recovery Strategies

Beyond the recent earthquake, Thailand has faced multiple security-related challenges in 2024, including the disappearance of Chinese actor Xing Xing near the Thai-Myanmar border, crackdowns on call center gangs, and concerns over the repatriation of Uyghurs to China. These incidents have collectively raised red flags for international travelers.

To regain tourist confidence, Thienprasit emphasized that prioritizing safety is essential. He noted that Chinese tourists increasingly prefer Japan over Thailand due to better safety standards and suggested that Thailand study Japan’s safety management strategies to improve its global reputation.

Conclusion

As Thailand navigates the aftermath of the earthquake, the tourism industry must focus on restoring confidence through rigorous safety measures and targeted promotional efforts. With government and industry collaboration, the country can work towards sustainable tourism growth while ensuring a secure environment for both international and domestic travelers.