Thailand PM Leads Tourism Talks in China

China Visit Strengthens Thailand Tourism Cooperation

Thailand’s Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul led a senior delegation to China from 16 to 20 July 2026 to strengthen tourism cooperation with western China through a series of government and business meetings held in Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing.

A key event during the visit was the Thailand–China Sichuan Investment and Economic Forum 2026, where the Thai delegation met with more than 200 representatives from businesses across western China to discuss investment opportunities, economic collaboration and tourism development.

The delegation included senior ministers from Thailand’s finance, foreign affairs, higher education, industry and digital economy ministries, along with officials from TAT, the Thailand Board of Investment and the Royal Thai Embassy in China.

During the forum, Prime Minister Anutin held separate meetings with executives from Sichuan Airlines Group and Meituan to discuss expanding travel cooperation.

Talks with Sichuan Airlines focused on restoring the Chengdu–Chiang Mai route and exploring new services to Hua Hin Airport and U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, supporting improved air connectivity between western China and Thailand.

Meanwhile, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool met with Meituan representatives to discuss extending their partnership through data sharing, joint marketing initiatives and campaigns designed to encourage travel between the two countries. The discussions also covered the promotion of Thailand’s food experiences through the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide and support for TAT’s Trusted Thailand initiative.

The meetings support Thailand’s plans to improve tourism infrastructure, expand international air services and strengthen regional connectivity. The proposed initiatives are expected to support new direct flights and joint marketing campaigns with Chinese partners during the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

Thailand aims to welcome more than 5.13 million Chinese visitors and generate at least 288.385 billion Baht in tourism revenue through these efforts.