CT Insight Report: What’s new in Thailand?

Thailand ranks as the second most popular outbound destination for GCC travellers, according to the 2026 Connecting Travel Insight Report, featuring findings from travel analytics firms RateHawk and Emerging Travel Group.

The Southeast Asia country continues to draw international recognition with it’s award-winning hospitality, natural attractions and vibrant nightlife. In 2025, three Thailand hotels were featured among the top 10 selection of the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, including Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Growing aviation routes are also driving tourism to the destination, such as Air Arabia’s new route between Sharjah and Krabi, offering an affordable non-stop service from the UAE. 

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Thailand welcomed 33 million international tourists in 2025 and is targeting 36.7 million in 2026, with new events and attractions. These include the Asia debut of Tomorrowland Thailand, bringing one of the world’s largest electronic dance music festivals to Pattaya. In Bangkok, Cave Fantasy is a new immersive attraction featuring glasses-free 3D projection rooms that surround viewers on five sides, including the floor. 

Among upcoming openings, high-profile heritage conversions include The Langham, built around the 19th-century Customs House on the Chao Phraya River, and Nobu’s first Thailand hotel, transforming the 1884 East Asiatic Company building on the river.