PATTAYA, Thailand – In a shift that could reshape Pattaya’s tourism landscape, Indian tourists are rapidly closing the gap on their Chinese counterparts and are poised to become the city’s top foreign visitors in the coming months. The surge comes amid a broader tourism revival that has seen Thailand welcome over 13.4 million international tourists from January 1 to May 18, 2025 — generating more than 632 billion baht in revenue.
According to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, Chinese tourists still lead nationally with 1.83 million arrivals so far this year, but Indian travelers, accounting for nearly 880,000 visits, are gaining fast. Recent weekly data showed Indian arrivals at 50,571 compared to China’s 62,569, narrowing the gap significantly. Indian tourists tend to stay longer, travel in groups, and explore beyond Bangkok to destinations like Pattaya, blending beach, nightlife, and family activities.
“The future of Pattaya may well be written in Hindi,” said one local tourism official, highlighting the city’s swift adaptation with Hindi-speaking staff, Indian cuisine on menus, and partnerships with Indian travel agencies.
However, not all locals share this enthusiasm. Some express concerns about Pattaya’s changing identity and potential strain on infrastructure. Comments like “Sai Song is already little Delhi. Don’t destruct Pattaya,” reflect worries about cultural shifts, while others remain skeptical about the tourists’ intentions, asking, “What is it that they want, what are they doing here? I don’t get it.”
Others point to broader worries about overpopulation and environmental challenges linked to India’s vast population — the world’s largest, exceeding that of Europe and North America combined — hoping that future droughts or food shortages won’t exacerbate regional pressures.
Despite these mixed views, the Thai government’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign continues to promote easier travel and visa processes, welcoming Indian visitors and encouraging peer-to-peer promotion that fuels tourism growth.
As Pattaya’s tourism landscape evolves, the dialogue between economic opportunity and cultural preservation continues, reflecting the complex dynamics of a city at a crossroads.
