Why are fewer Thais travelling to South Korea?

South Korea is experiencing a significant decline in Thai visitors, with stricter immigration screening creating uncertainty over entry as a primary cause. Research by Bnomics, a unit of Bangkok Bank, indicates that while overall overseas travel by Thais reached record highs in 2025, South Korea ranked 13th with approximately 328,000 Thai visitors, a 13.8% decrease from the previous year. This figure is also substantially lower than the over 559,000 Thai visitors recorded in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While South Korea retains its appeal through Korean food, culture, and K-pop, Bnomics attributes the heightened immigration scrutiny to issues surrounding illegal employment by some Thai nationals. An increasing number of Thai travelers being denied entry has become a major concern in Thailand, causing uncertainty for those who have already paid for flights and accommodation. Currently, Thai nationals can travel to South Korea visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. However, travelers generally need to obtain K-ETA approval before departure. Crucially, K-ETA approval does not guarantee entry, as immigration authorities at the airport retain the final decision. Bnomics suggests this uncertainty can become a cost for travelers, who must make financial commitments before departure. If alternative destinations offer easier or more predictable entry procedures, some travelers may opt for them instead. In contrast, China has rapidly emerged as the top destination for Thai travelers. Bnomics attributes this surge to the permanent Thailand-China visa exemption agreement, which took effect in March 2024, as well as China's extensive transport infrastructure, value for money, and diverse tourist attractions. The decline in demand for travel to South Korea has also impacted airline services. AirAsia, for instance, announced it would end its Bangkok-Don Mueang-Seoul service after 12 years, citing changing travel demand. The latest figures suggest a significant shift in Thai travel preferences, with accessibility, cost, and certainty playing increasingly important roles in destination choices. Information Source: Khaosod English