The first tour group from China, since the end of COVID-19 restrictions, arrived in Bangkok this morning (Monday) on a direct Spring Airlines flight from Guangzhou. The Chinese Government is allowing group tours to visit 20 countries, including Thailand, effective from today.

The group of 40 was among 180 Chinese tourists on Flight 9C7419, which landed at Don Mueang Airport at 8.05am. The group plans to stay in Thailand for six days, during which they intend to visit Pattaya, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Bangkok’s Chinatown.

The group was warmly welcomed upon their arrival by officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and the Airports of Thailand Company.

Some of the tourists said that, after three years of lockdown in China, they chose to visit Thailand because they love Thai food and the culture, adding that they also learned that Chinese tourists are welcome in Thailand.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) predicts, however, that not many Chinese group tours will visit Thailand this year, because many tour companies in China closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strict lockdown in China.