Kuwait emerges as strategic tourism market for Thailand, Phuket in the spotlight as 100,000 Kuwaitis visit the country in 2025

The Times Kuwait Report

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Kuwait, Uraiwan Courtaud, has confirmed that Kuwait is among the most important tourism markets for Thailand, revealing that around 100,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited the country in 2025.

Her remarks came during the “Phuket Roadshow to Kuwait 2026” event, organized by the Phuket Tourism Association with the support of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, in a move aimed at strengthening Thailand’s tourism presence in the Kuwaiti market.

On the sidelines of the event, Courtaud said that Kuwait holds a special place in Thai tourism, noting that Phuket Island has become the face of Thailand for many Kuwaitis. She explained that Kuwaiti tourists prefer Phuket as a primary destination and often visit repeatedly each year, drawn by its family-friendly environment and services that respect cultural privacy.

She added that Kuwaiti passport holders are exempt from entry visas to Thailand for up to 60 days for tourism purposes, while residents of Kuwait of certain nationalities can apply for an electronic visa within a maximum period of five working days.

Courtaud stressed that Phuket is no longer just a leisure destination, but has evolved into a location that respects cultural values and offers distinctive family and human experiences. She underlined the Thai Embassy’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance tourism connectivity and open new avenues of cooperation between the private sectors in both countries.

Investments and Cooperation

On investments, Courtaud revealed that there are existing Kuwaiti investments in Thailand’s tourism sector. She noted that Thai law does not allow foreigners to own companies or land directly, but permits ownership through partnerships with Thai nationals, while allowing foreigners to own residential apartments under specific regulations.

She pointed out that this is the first time the Phuket Tourism Association has organized such an event in Kuwait, describing it as a reflection of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, which span more than six decades.

Regarding health cooperation, Courtaud referred to challenges related to bringing Thai doctors to work in Kuwait, as this requires approvals from the Thai Ministry of Health. She said the issue is under discussion with the relevant Kuwaiti authorities, particularly at a time when Thailand is experiencing a shortage of nurses.

As for medical treatment, she explained that Kuwaiti patients who travel to Thailand at their own expense do so directly, while cases covered by the Kuwaiti government are subject to official procedures and approvals through specialized committees.

On the educational front, Courtaud noted that only a small number of Kuwaiti students are currently studying at Thai universities, compared to around 50 Thai students enrolled in Kuwaiti schools and universities.

Growing Demand from Kuwaiti Families

For his part, President of the Phuket Tourism Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij said the Kuwaiti market is witnessing notable growth. He revealed that around 20,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Phuket in 2025, up from 17,000 the previous year and fewer than 10,000 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

He stressed that Phuket welcomes Kuwaiti visitors and is keen to meet their needs by providing halal restaurants and family-oriented tourism services.

He added that the island is also a leading destination for medical and wellness tourism, with world-renowned hospitals such as Bumrungrad and BDMS operating branches in Phuket and enjoying strong recognition among Kuwaitis.