Why are fewer Thais travelling to South Korea?

BANGKOK — South Korea is losing ground as a destination for Thai travellers, with the number of Thai visitors falling sharply as stricter immigration screening creates uncertainty over whether travellers will be allowed to enter the country.

Research by Bnomics, a research unit by Bangkok Bank, found that 13.06 million Thais travelled overseas in 2025, up 11.4% from the previous year. Their combined spending reached 559 billion baht, with both figures hitting record highs.

China was the most popular destination, attracting 3.06 million Thai travellers, or nearly one in four Thais travelling overseas. They spent a combined 120.25 billion baht in China.

South Korea, meanwhile, ranked 13th, with about 328,000 Thai visitors, down 13.8% from the previous year.

The figure was also significantly below the more than 559,000 Thai visitors recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bnomics said South Korea has retained its appeal through Korean food, culture and K-pop, but problems surrounding illegal employment by some Thai nationals have led to stricter immigration screening.

Cases of Thai travellers being denied entry have also become a major issue in Thailand, creating uncertainty over whether travellers who have already paid for flights and accommodation will actually be allowed into the country.

For Thai nationals, South Korea currently allows visa-free travel for tourism for up to 90 days. However, travellers generally need to obtain K-ETA approval before departure.

K-ETA approval does not guarantee entry. Immigration authorities at the airport retain the final authority to decide whether a traveller can enter South Korea.

Bnomics said this uncertainty itself can become a cost for travellers.

Travellers must buy air tickets, book accommodation, arrange leave from work and prepare travel expenses before departure. If they are unsure whether they will pass immigration, the potential cost and risk of the trip become higher.

When alternative destinations offer easier or more predictable entry procedures, some travellers may choose those destinations instead, according to the analysis.

South Korea’s decline contrasts with China’s rapid rise as the No. 1 destination for Thai travellers.

Bnomics attributed China’s popularity not only to the permanent Thailand-China visa exemption agreement, which took effect in March 2024, but also to China’s extensive transport infrastructure, value for money and wide range of tourist destinations.

The data suggest that removing barriers to travel can be an important factor in attracting tourists, while uncertainty at the border can have the opposite effect.

“Tourism competition is not only about making people want to come, but also making people confident that they can come,” Bnomics said.

The decline in Thai demand has also affected airline services. AirAsia previously announced that it would end its Bangkok-Don Mueang-Seoul service from 25 October after 12 years of operation, citing changing travel demand.

South Korea remains a major destination for Thai tourists, but the latest figures show a significant shift in travel preferences as Thai travellers increasingly consider accessibility, cost and certainty when choosing where to go.