Thai tourism representatives say prolonged unrest in France could weaken travel demand to Thailand, although high-season forward bookings have yet to change, the Bangkok Post reported.
The potential exposure is significant for Thailand. Its Ministry of Tourism and Sports counted 816,935 visitors from France in 2025, a record for that market. Total international arrivals fell 7.23% that year to 32.97 million.
Suladda Sarutilavan, Europe executive director at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said French arrivals had passed 610,000 by mid-October 2026 and were roughly level with a year earlier, the Bangkok Post reported. She expected the full-year total to exceed 800,000, according to the newspaper. Those figures and the forecast come from her reported interview.
Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said high-season forward bookings had not changed, according to the Bangkok Post. He warned that protests lasting for months or a prolonged economic downturn in France could discourage residents from traveling abroad. His booking assessment was for the high season generally, not French travelers alone.
The Associated Press reported that French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez counted 110 marches and about 550,000 demonstrators on Oct. 17. Organizers estimated turnout at about 800,000. The protests centered on living costs and school conditions, with clashes, fires and looting also reported.
Operators cited airfares, flight routing and conflict in the Middle East as other pressures on long-haul trips from Europe, the Bangkok Post reported. The newspaper also said some midscale hotels were competing on price, while premium and luxury properties were maintaining their rates.
The unrest has also prompted concern within France’s tourism industry. On Oct. 18, four French tourism groups raised the prospect of canceled trips and harm to local businesses and jobs. They provided no tally of cancellations or lost trade.
No change in Thailand’s high-season forward bookings has been reported so far. French arrival totals and future booking figures would indicate whether the risk to Thai tourism businesses is becoming a measurable decline.
