Thailand and Qatar are seeking to expand tourism ties and attract more high-value travelers, with luxury, wellness, medical, family, and culinary tourism offering key growth opportunities in the Qatari market.

Thai Ambassador to Qatar, Pensom Lertsithichai, met with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool on August 13 to discuss travel trends and future market opportunities. Qatar is an important Gulf Cooperation Council market for Thailand, supported by travelers with strong purchasing power and demand for premium tourism experiences.

Thailand welcomed 13,603 Qatari visitors between July 1 and August 9, a 0.52% decline from the same period last year despite uncertainty in the wider Middle East. Air connectivity remains extensive, with Qatar Airways operating a combined 49 weekly flights from Doha to Bangkok and Phuket.

TAT plans to pursue its “Value over Volume” strategy by promoting luxury and wellness travel, targeting families during summer, and using influencer marketing to convert interest into bookings. The agency is also seeking closer cooperation with Qatar Airways, Qatari government agencies, and private-sector partners, while expanding tourism promotion and the exchange of market data to reach travelers from Qatar and the wider Middle East.