Thai Arrivals in Korea Rise 20% in First Five Months of 2026 KTO Targets 410,000 Thai Visitors, Joining Forces with KTC and Thai Airways to Drive Second-Half Travel

According to KTO, Korea welcomed 333,930 visitors from Thailand in 2025. During the first five months of 2026, the number of Thai visitors rose by 20% from the same period a year earlier, reflecting continued growth in demand for travel to Korea. Building on this momentum, KTO aims to welcome 410,000 Thai visitors by the end of 2026.

The positive trend is also reflected in KTC credit card spending data. Between January 1 and June 30, 2026, South Korea ranked second among overseas destinations by total spending made with KTC credit cards. Spending in the country increased by 40% year on year, while the number of KTC cardmembers making transactions in South Korea rose by 45%. The figures indicate that KTC cardmembers are spending across a broad range of categories throughout their journeys, including transportation, beauty and wellness, shopping, dining, and lifestyle experiences.

Mr. Park Sunghyeuck, President of the Korea Tourism Organization, said, "Thailand is one of Korea's key source markets in ASEAN. Thai travelers are showing increasing interest in a diverse range of experiences, from K-Culture and K-Beauty to Korean cuisine, lifestyle offerings, and emerging travel destinations. Our partnership with KTC and Thai Airways will help make travel to Korea more accessible and connect Thai travelers with relevant privileges, while encouraging them to discover the country beyond its traditional attractions."
Mr. Park added, "In 2026, KTO will continue to promote Korea through a range of themed travel experiences, including Beauty & Wellness, Running & Marathon Tourism, Pet-friendly Travel, K-Culture, and regional tourism. These initiatives reflect the growing demand among Thai travelers for journeys that are more personalized and meaningful. We are confident that the combined strengths of KTO, KTC, and Thai Airways will contribute to our goal of welcoming 410,000 Thai visitors this year."

Mrs. Pittaya Vorapanyasakul, President & Chief Executive Officer of Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC), said, "South Korea continues to be a highly popular destination among Thai consumers, not only for travel, but also for its culture, beauty industry, cuisine, lifestyle, and the global influence of K-Culture. KTC's spending data shows that our cardmembers engage with Korea across a wide range of categories throughout their journeys, from transportation and beauty and wellness services to shopping, dining, and lifestyle activities."
Mrs. Pittaya added, "This collaboration between KTO, KTC, and Thai Airways is designed to connect the needs of Thai travelers with practical privileges at every stage of their journey, from booking their flights to spending in Korea. Together, we aim to make travel to Korea more convenient, rewarding, and seamless for KTC cardmembers."

Mr. Thamanoon Kuprasert, Head of Sales Agencies and Global Corporate Account and Acting Director of Sales at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said, "Thai Airways is pleased to support this collaboration with KTO and KTC to promote travel between Thailand and the Republic of Korea. South Korea remains one of Thai Airways' key international destinations and continues to attract a broad range of Thai passengers, including leisure travelers, families, and those inspired by K-Culture, K-Beauty, Korean cuisine, and new travel experiences."

Mr. Thamanoon added, "During the second half of 2026, Thai Airways and KTC will offer exclusive privileges on selected Korea routes to provide greater value and enhance the passenger experience from departure through to arrival."

KTC credit cardmembers can receive a THB 2,000 discount per seat when booking an eligible round-trip Thai Airways ticket on selected routes to South Korea via https://ktc.promo/TG-1000-TH. Cardmembers must enter the promotional code KTCKTO and pay with a KTC credit card. The offer is valid from August 1 to December 10, 2026.

In addition, KTC is offering a range of privileges designed to enhance the travel lifestyle experience in Korea, including Beauty & Wellness benefits at participating health and beauty merchants and through UNNI Korea Aesthetic Clinic, a platform for booking aesthetic services in Korea; shopping privileges at Lotte Duty Free Korea; and cashback on eligible dining transactions in Korea, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Further details on KTC's Korea travel campaign are available at https://ktc.promo/KTO-2026 . All privileges are subject to KTC's terms and conditions.

Remark: Please use credit cards responsibly and make full payments within the due date to avoid interest charges of 16% per annum.

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