The number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting Thailand last year increased by nearly 71%, driving overall tourist arrivals in Thailand up by over 20%. As a result, Thailand’s transportation system has been put to the test—with airport arrivals overwhelmed and many self-driving mainland tourists flooding popular northern tourist cities, drawing the attention of the Thai government.
Last year, Thailand set a record high of 29.9 million international tourist arrivals, including 7.9 million from mainland China. This figure also marks the highest number of arrivals from any single country or region in Asia excluding China itself. Foreign media pointed out that without the spending power of mainland tourists, Thailand’s economy would inevitably decline.
However, while hoteliers and souvenir shop owners are rejoicing, Thailand’s airports and transportation infrastructure are under severe strain. Reports indicate that long queues at immigration and security checkpoints have become increasingly common at Bangkok’s two international airports. Smaller Don Mueang International Airport has seen arriving passengers complain about excessively long taxi wait times.
Speaking to Thai media, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Weerasak Kowsurat, said that while mainland tourists are allowed to drive their own vehicles into Thailand, some have been found using fake Thai license plates in an attempt to evade traffic police. The ministry has now commissioned the legal department to study regulatory measures.
Additionally, Hong Kong media reported that aside from the issue of mainland tourists entering via border crossings with fake Thai plates, another group of self-driving mainland tourists has drawn complaints after allegedly parking and staying overnight randomly along the route from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand to Phuket in the south—disrupting local order and sparking dissatisfaction among Thai residents.