Tourism in Chiang Mai is booming as South Korean visitors are arriving in large numbers, with over 165,000 travellers flying directly to the city in just over seven months of 2025—an increase of more than 20% from last year. Direct flights now operate 62 times weekly between Chiang Mai and Incheon and four times weekly to Busan, served by major South Korean carriers including Korean Air, Jeju Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, and Eastar Jet.
Chiang Mai International Airport reports that Korean tourists now account for about 20% of its international flights, making them one of the city’s most important visitor groups.
In 2024, 1.8 million South Koreans travelled to Thailand, with the figure expected to rise to 1.9 million in 2025. Chiang Mai attracts around 12% of all international Korean arrivals, mostly working-age travellers and families seeking nature-based and cultural tourism.
