Thailand in the shadow of Vietnam: How must tourism change?

Thailand in the shadow of Vietnam: How must tourism change?

In a lively conversation, the Thai YouTuber and operator of the channel Gap.bumseeker, ศุภกาญจน์ จริยพิเชษฐ์, pointed out the perception of Thailand by international travelers. Many tourists immediately associate Thailand with the popular travel destinations Phuket and Pattaya. But the competition never sleeps, because with Vietnam there is a serious rival in tourism that is receiving more and more positive feedback online. The lack of new tourism developments and adherence to traditional images could fall on Thailand's feet, warns ศุภกาญจน์.

However, not all hope is lost. Although Thailand is developing new attractions, these are often nothing more than modern buildings - especially in Bangkok. The recommendation is to create fresh, unique destinations in so-called “secondary cities” rather than just focusing on the capital. Travel costs also play a crucial role, as traveling in China is often cheaper than Thailand, helped by the excellent infrastructure and high-quality, affordable hotels available there.

The need for infrastructure improvements

สุวิตา จรัญวงศ์, the CEO and co-founder of Tellscore, emphasizes that Thailand has some catching up to do when it comes to infrastructure, especially compared to countries like Japan and China. These not only have a strong infrastructure, but also a variety of events that attract tourists. To avoid falling behind in the battle for tourists, Thailand should make better use of its unique resources and destinations.

Another important point is the perception of safety and offers for LGBT travelers. Positive communication in these areas is crucial. Content creators, it is believed, could play a key role in promoting travel and changing Thailand's image.

About the tourist landscape of Thailand

Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, has a turbulent history that dates back to human settlement over 40,000 years ago. The cultural influence of India, China and other neighboring countries is reflected in the country's diversity. With a population of almost 66 million people and an area of ​​approximately 513,115 km², Thailand is not only the tourist heart of Southeast Asia, but also an important geopolitical player.

The most important port of call for many international visitors remains Bangkok, which last ranked an impressive 17th among the most popular travel destinations worldwide in 2024. The city is booming with its royal palace, numerous temples and large shopping malls, while other popular destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya are not far behind.

• Beliebte Reiseziele in Thailand:
• Bangkok – Das pulsierende Herz des Landes
• Phuket – Traumhafte Strände und Nachtleben
• Chiang Mai – Kultur und Natur im Norden
• Pattaya – Bekannt für Freizeitangebote
• Ayutthaya und Sukhothai – Historische Ruinen

But the challenges cannot be neglected. Thailand is struggling with serious environmental problems, which are exacerbated by mass tourism. After the corona pandemic, nature experienced a short recovery phase, but tourism is booming again, with revenue falling to around 13.45 billion euros in 2022, according to the World Tourism Organization, before reaching 57.50 billion euros in 2019.

To remain at the forefront of tourism, Thailand must strategically explore new avenues to not only preserve its traditions, but also not to be lost in the modern tourism landscape. Developing infrastructure and creating unique experiences are key to winning the hearts of travelers and keeping an eye on the competition.

Find out more about the challenges and opportunities for Thailand on the pages of Post Today, Wikipedia and Country data info.