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Thailand is abandoning its long-held focus on tourist numbers, instead targeting wealthier visitors who spend more per trip. The shift reflects geopolitical pressures and regional competition.
Thailand's Association of Thai Travel Agents has downgraded its 2026 Chinese visitor forecast from 9 million to 7 million, blaming safety concerns, ransom cases and scam-related crime that have damaged the country's image.
Thailand's tourism minister has announced a coordinated effort to eliminate mafia control on popular islands and shut down nominee businesses that siphon tourism revenue abroad, following recent safety incidents affecting foreign visitors.