Israel-Iran war hurting Thai tourism

[Gaybutton]

Israel-Iran war starting to hit tourism to Thailand

Arrivals from five key markets could fall 50% if airspace closures are prolonged

by Narumon Kasemsuk

June 17, 2025

The Israel-Iran war is expected to affect five of Thailand’s tourism markets, which might plunge by 50%, while visits from the Middle East to Phuket have already started to decline due to airspace closures.

The conflict in the Middle East has already had a wide impact on air travel in that region, said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

She said several airlines that operate flights to Thailand — among them Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air and SalamAir — had adjusted their routes to avoid conflict zones and airspace closures by some countries.

So far, Tehran-based Mahan Air is the only carrier that has temporarily cancelled flights to Bangkok and Phuket due to airspace closures in Iran, resulting in the Iranian market evaporating during this period.

Ms Thapanee said five markets — Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria — comprised 7% of visitors arriving in Thailand from the Middle East in June 2024, with the region, excluding Israel, recording 100,781 travellers.

She said arrivals from those five markets may drop by 30-50% to between 3,500 and 5,000 during the month of June as a significant number of tourists and airlines postpone trips during the Eid al-Adha festival, which is a peak travel period that attracted 7,165 tourists last year.

Ms Thapanee said the TAT is also monitoring the long-term impact that could extend to other Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, which account for 80% of the overall Middle East market, if tourists perceive air travel as being unsafe.

Hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai, key destinations for these markets, are likely to experience the most severe short-term impact.

If tensions are resolved within this month, the flow of arrivals should begin to rebound in July as some airlines have still confirmed that they plan to operate new routes to Thailand, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, which is set to serve the Amman-Bangkok route with two flights a week, starting in August.

However, a full recovery may depend on the extent of the damage caused by the war, said Ms Thapanee.

The TAT is aiming to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East this year, an increase of 11% over 2024, and hopes to generate about 86 billion baht revenue.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... o-thailand

[Dodger]

......So far, Tehran-based Mahan Air is the only carrier that has temporarily cancelled flights to Bangkok and Phuket due to airspace closures in Iran......

Gee, I wonder why.

Can you imagine a plane flying out of Tehran having to dodge incoming "Bunker Busters" just so passengers can go play in Phuket...

[Jun]

Looking at Flightradar24, airspace over Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Iran appears to be mostly closed. Flights in and out of the other middle eastern airports appear to be operating as normal, other than those detouring over Egypt.
Therefore, I wouldn't expect a major impact on tourism.

[Jun]

My most recent flight detoured around Myanmar. If I remember correctly, they used to fly over part of it.
It then flew over India, Pakistan & Afghanistan. Followed by Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan & Georgia. ie Squeezing in between Iran and Russia/Ukraine.

[SP55]

And now it is Israel+USA war against Iran because of the guy who promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours and bring U.S. troops home to protect their own countrys borders, but of course lied and instead starts yet another U.S. war.

[Gaybutton]

I notice that at least so far, Thailand has made no comment about Trump's bombing of Iran. My guess is they won't. I think Thailand wants to lay low on this one. Thailand has nothing to gain by getting on the wrong side of the USA, Israel, or Iran.

[Jun]

I notice that at least so far, Thailand has made no comment about Trump's bombing of Iran. My guess is they won't.

Thailand won't even stand up for principles regarding events in neighbouring countries, so don't expect any comment on Iran.