The deadly earthquake in Myanmar is expected to dent Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals in the coming weeks, adding to concerns in an industry already facing a decline in Chinese visitor numbers due to safety fears, Bangkok Post reported.

International arrivals could fall by 10%-15% or more in the next two weeks after the March 28 magnitude 7.7 quake shook buildings in Bangkok and other tourist hubs, the Thai Hotels Association said. About 10% of foreign tourists checked out early following the quake, said Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the association, citing an initial survey of its members. Some guests later returned, as they had no alternative accommodation, he added.

Even a brief drop in arrivals could hurt Thailand’s economy, where tourism accounts for about 13% of gross domestic product and employs one in five workers the Post reports. The government is banking on stronger tourism growth to push economic expansion to 3% this year, as exports struggle amid global trade uncertainties. Authorities have sought to reassure visitors. Thailand remains safe for tourists, Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said on March 29, adding that officials had ordered safety audits of hotels and key attractions.

While the earthquake led to evacuations and a prolonged suspension of some public transport system in Bangkok, the city saw little damage compared to the devastation in Myanmar. The most significant impact in Thailand was the collapse of a high-rise under construction in Bangkok, which killed 10 workers and left dozens trapped. Even before the quake, tourist numbers had been declining amid safety concerns. Reports of human trafficking to scam centres in Myanmar via Thailand had deterred some Chinese travellers, a key market for Thai tourism the Bangkok Post report says.

Hotel bookings for next month’s Songkran festival have been weaker than in previous years, and post-quake safety fears could further erode confidence, Chaiyapatranun said. Foreign arrivals have been falling weekly since the Lunar New Year rush in early February. As a result, the report says that Bank of America economists now see downside risks to their forecast of 38.1mn visitors this year, with Thailand entering its low season as European tourist numbers decline and Chinese arrivals show little sign of recovery. Thailand has recorded 8.9mn foreign visitors since the start of 2025, a 2.9% increase from a year earlier, according to official data.