Thailand Partners with Sichuan Airlines and Meituan to Boost Tourism from Western China

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has advanced bilateral trade, investment, and tourism during his visit to China by presiding over the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum 2026 on July 18, 2026.

​The forum brought together over 200 business leaders from Western China. The Thai delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaichanok Chidchob, and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. Sichuan Governor Shi Xiaolin and Communist Party Secretary of Sichuan Province Hu Yuankun officially welcomed the delegation.

​To boost tourism through 2027, the TAT Governor arranged meetings between the Prime Minister, Sichuan Airlines Chairman Wang Fei, and Meituan Vice President Li Jinfei. Discussions with Sichuan Airlines addressed resuming Chengdu-Chiang Mai flights and launching new routes to Hua Hin and U-Tapao airports to attract high-spending travelers from Western China. The TAT and Meituan also agreed to exchange market data, launch a "Two-Way Tourism" national campaign, promote Thailand as a world-class gastronomy destination through the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, and enhance the "Trusted Thailand" safety initiative.

​These initiatives support the policy of the Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul to upgrade aviation infrastructure and promote Hua Hin and U-Tapao as key international gateways. Authorities expect these partnerships to attract 5.13 million high-value Chinese tourists, generating at least 288.385 billion baht in revenue from the second half of 2026 through 2027.

Source: NBT World