Indian tourism operators remain confident in Thailand as a top destination, with the country planning to host the “Grand Diwali Celebration” next week, aiming to draw at least 100,000 travellers, while annual arrivals are expected to reach a record high of 2.5 million.
Puneet Kochhar, director of Kochhar Travel, an outbound tour company based in Delhi, said while some northern Indian tourists prefer to stay at home during the festival, other markets still plan to travel during this period, such as the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Thailand was the most popular overseas destination among Indian travellers who made bookings with the company, he said. The majority were from Delhi and Mumbai, he noted.
Mr Kochhar said Indian tourists did not have a perception that Thailand is unsafe in the way the Chinese market did.
The company is expecting to bring 1,000 Indian tourists a month to Thailand in the fourth quarter, comprising both leisure tourists and wedding groups.
Even though other Southeast Asian destinations, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, are growing in popularity among Indian tourists, they have yet to catch up with Thailand.
Nikorn Sachdev, treasurer of the Indian Association of Thailand, said a booming Indian economy, the visa-free scheme and an increasing number of flights should help drive the Indian market for the remainder of this year, particularly with regard to this month’s Diwali festival.
On the subject of a recent incident on an escalator at the Surasak BTS skytrain station during the Navaratri festival at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Bangkok, Mr Nikorn said the incident should not hamper tourism confidence among Indians as it had not resulted in any severe injury.
He said Indians were already familiar with attending enormous celebrations drawing huge crowds.
However, he said he hoped the authorities would strengthen regulations to manage the crowd more efficiently during next year’s event.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holding the “Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2025” at Ong Ang Canal and the Pahurat area from Oct 16-31. This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been held and the TAT is hoping to attract at least 100,000 visitors and generate revenue of more than 650 million baht.
TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the event is being billed as the largest Diwali festival outside India. The festival is subject to relevant safety measures, such as tourist police using artificial intelligence detection cameras and vehicles, she said.
As of Oct 7 this year, Thailand welcomed over 1.82 million tourists from India, which is among the country’s top three inbound markets.
The average length of stay was 6.6 nights and expenditure was 36,704 baht per person per trip.
The agency is confident of securing 2.2-2.5 million arrivals this year, representing a new high for this market.
During November and December, the TAT will launch an Indian passport privilege campaign in tandem with shopping mall partners.
Three branches of the Central Department Store, including CentralWorld in Bangkok, Pattaya and Patong, will also offer a special shopping privilege for Indian passport holders.
CentralWorld projects a 30% rise in Indian visitors year-on-year in October.