The number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand fell by 3.5 million in March, a decline of 0.7% from one year ago, according to official data compiled by Bloomberg.
In addition to the dip in arrivals, foreign tourist spending fell 1.3%.
The drop in tourist arrivals has been led by a decline in Chinese tourists for two consecutive months, although arrivals from India grew strongly, up 35%, Bloomberg reported.
Duangrat Prajaksilpthai, an economist at TMB Bank l in Bangkok said that while a protracted downturn in visitor arrivals would have a significant impact on the Thai economy, “the numbers usually fluctuate and could bounce back so we have to wait and see”.
The Thai government has announced it would continue to waive the fee for visa arrival (VOA), in a bid to boost tourism.