The government is urged to prepare for a possible surge of travellers seeking a safe haven in Thailand. Yuthasak Supasorn, chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, said the current conflict in the Middle East has reminded the tourism industry of the Russia-Ukraine war, where the short-term impact first falls on fuel prices and consequently affects international airfares, reducing long-haul markets. He said while the war in Eastern Europe has affected the long-term cost structure of aviation, the conflict in the Middle East has instead created immediate disruptions to regional flight schedules. The impact is expected to be apparent during the Eid al-Adha festival in May, which is a major travel season for the Middle Eastern market. This has led to the emergence of new travellers whose motivations extend beyond leisure, including escaping war, seeking temporary refuge or recovery, and pursuing relocation or investment, creating new dynamics for Thailand's tourism sector.

Source: Bangkok Post March 10, 2026 00:17 UTC