Event to woo 100,000 Indians

Indian tourism operators remain confident in Thailand as a top destination, with the country planning to host the "Grand Diwali Celebration" next week, aiming to draw at least 100,000 travellers, while annual arrivals are expected to reach a record high of 2.5 million.

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

A representative of the Royal Thai Police takes part in a recent press conference held to promote Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2025, which begins next week.

Puneet Kochhar, director of Kochhar Travel, an outbound tour company based in Delhi, said while some northern Indian tourists prefer to stay at home during the festival, other markets still plan to travel during this period, such as the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Thailand was the most popular overseas destination among Indian travellers who made bookings with the company, he said. The majority were from Delhi and Mumbai, he noted.

Mr Kochhar said Indian tourists did not have a perception that Thailand is unsafe in the way the Chinese market did.

The company is expecting to bring 1,000 Indian tourists a month to Thailand in the fourth quarter, comprising both leisure tourists and wedding groups.