Tokyo and Seoul Lose Out! One City Attracts 30.3 Million International Visitors, Ranking First Globally

Which city welcomed the most international visitors globally? The answer is not Paris, New York, Tokyo, or Seoul, but Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. According to Euromonitor International's '2025 Global Top 100 City Destinations Index,' Bangkok received 30.3 million international tourists in 2025, making it the world's top city by international visitor arrivals.

It's important to note that Bangkok ranked first in terms of 'international visitor arrivals.' When evaluated comprehensively based on tourism policy, infrastructure, safety, and sustainability, Paris still holds the top spot as the world's leading city destination.

Following the announcement, Thai government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit stated that Bangkok's achievement reflects the competitiveness of Thailand's tourism industry, driven by sustained international marketing, improved travel environments, and enhanced service quality.

Bangkok attracts large numbers of international tourists not only because of cultural landmarks like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, but also due to its street food, night markets, shopping malls, and diverse accommodation options catering to various budgets and travel needs. Additionally, Bangkok serves as a regional air transit hub, allowing travelers to connect to destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, or neighboring countries, positioning the city as both a destination and a transportation gateway.

The ability of international tourists to enter and exit Thailand smoothly hinges on aviation capacity. According to data from Aerothai (Thailand Aviation Radio Co., Ltd.), Thailand handled 904,796 flights during the 2025 fiscal year, with flight volumes rising further during the year-end tourism peak.

Based on Aerothai's winter flight schedule released at the end of 2025, December 2025 recorded 84,543 flights, with projections indicating an increase to 87,835 flights in January 2026. Aerothai also forecasts that total flight volume in the 2026 fiscal year could reach 928,165, a roughly 3% increase from the previous year, with international flights expected to account for 473,364—over half of the total.

Bangkok's appeal to 30.3 million international tourists is not solely due to a single popular attraction but is supported by a combination of air connectivity, accommodation supply, culinary culture, shopping, and surrounding tourism resources.

For travelers from Taiwan, Bangkok has long been a favored destination due to abundant flight options, mature travel products, and a wide range of price points. Whether traveling independently, in groups, for shopping, or urban leisure, visitors can adjust accommodations, transportation, and dining based on their budget, making it a top choice for Southeast Asian travel.

As of 2026, travelers holding valid Taiwanese passports can still enter Thailand visa-free, with stays not exceeding 60 days per visit. It is recommended that passports have at least six months of validity, and travelers should prepare return flight tickets and accommodation details.

Additionally, all foreign travelers planning to enter Thailand must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival, declaring flight details, travel purpose, and Thai accommodation address. The cloud-based entry application THIM, introduced by Thailand in 2026, is still in trial phase and cannot replace TDAC. Travelers transiting through Thai airports without entering immigration or customs zones are exempt from TDAC submission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warns that official TDAC applications are free. Travelers should avoid non-official代办 websites that charge fees to prevent fraud and personal data leaks.