Grab, Thailand’s No.1 ride-hailing and food delivery platform, reveals insights into Chinese tourists’ travel and dining behaviours on its platform, with ride bookings growing by more than 75%* during the first nine months of 2026. “Song Wat” and “Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market” have emerged as trending check-in hotspots, while Chiang Rai remained the most popular secondary city, particularly among travellers seeking nature and cultural experiences.

Meanwhile, Banthat Thong regained its appeal as a dining destination, with ride bookings growing threefold* as Chinese tourists sought out popular seafood and hotpot restaurants. “Mango sticky rice” also retained its position as the most popular Thai dessert, with GrabFood orders increasing by more than 50%**.

Panomkorn Jirasatienpong, Marketing Director at Grab Thailand, said, “Chinese tourists have returned and become Thailand’s largest international tourists group this year. In the first nine months of 2026 (January 1 to September 26 , 2026), Thailand welcomed more than 3.82 million Chinese visitors***. This is in line with the trend on the Grab platform, where Chinese tourists remain one of our key user segments, with ride bookings growing by more than 75% year-on-year.”

“We have also found that Chinese tourists commonly use popular social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu to discover destinations and plan their trips to Thailand. This year, Thailand travel-related keywords generated more than 13 million searches**** among users in China.”

Grab also highlights interesting insights into ride-hailing and food delivery trends among Chinese tourists in Thailand during the first nine months of 2026:

Song Wat–Khlong Bang Luang Emerge as Trending Check-in Spots : Lamphun Gains Momentum as a Rising Secondary-City Destination

• Social media-inspired travel remains popular among Chinese tourists, with unique activities and photogenic destinations increasingly shaping their travel choices. Historic Song Wat, a quaint neighbourhood in the heart of Bangkok, has become a trendy check-in spot, with cafés, restaurants, shops, and street art, driving ride bookings to and from the area up tenfold*****. Similarly, Khlong Bang Luang has attracted visitors keen to experience its canalside community and local way of life, with ride bookings surging more than twelvefold*****.
• The latest trend of wearing “Malai Rad Klao” (lotus flower garlands) as hair accessories inspired by Thai youth culture, has also gained popularity among Chinese tourists, driving ride bookings to Pak Khlong Talat flower market to nearly double*****.

• Beyond Bangkok and major destinations such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket, Chiang Rai ranks as the most popular secondary city among Chinese tourists, who are drawn to destinations such as Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) and Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple). Lamphun has also emerged as a rising destination, with ride bookings increasing more than fourfold*****.

• The spiritual tourism trend or “Mutelu”, also remains popular among Chinese tourists. Ride bookings to the Ganesha Shrine in Huai Khwang, where visitors seek blessings for success and the Trimurti Shrine at centralwOrld, a popular destination for love blessings, both increased by 45%*****. 

Banthat Thong Makes a Comeback as Chinese Foodies Seek Seafood – Hotpot : Mango Sticky Rice Remains the No.1 Thai Dessert

• Banthat Thong is bustling again, ranking as the most popular district among Chinese tourists, followed by Ratchada and Rama 9–RCA. Ride bookings to and from Banthat Thong increased threefold11. 
• Most Chinese tourists are seeking out seafood and hotpot restaurants, with Som Som Seafood on Banthat Thong Road, Kodtalay Seafood Buffet and Loong Mala Hotpot in Rama 9–RCA often drawing long queues. Nueng Nom Nua, a popular fresh milk and homemade bread shop on  Banthat Thong Road, also attracts crowds of Chinese visitors throughout the day.
• Mango sticky rice remains the most popular Thai dessert among Chinese tourists, with GrabFood orders increasing by more than 50%. Meanwhile, Durian sticky rice emerged as the top-trending menu search, recording more than 27,000 searches******.

“Grab Grand Golden Week” Campaign Launched to Welcome Chinese Travellers

To welcome Chinese tourists during Golden Week, taking place from 1 to 7 October, when ride-hailing demand typically rises by almost 90%******* compared with regular periods, Grab is launching the dedicated “Grab Grand Golden Week” campaign in support of TAT’s Nihao Month 2026 project. The campaign features several activities to help create a positive impression and position Thailand as a preferred and trusted travel destination.

“This includes partnering with social influencers on Xiaohongshu to create content featuring the latest travel trends and destinations in Thailand, promoting Grab’s safety features and ride services with Chinese-speaking drivers, and installing Chinese-language pick-up and drop-off signage at popular tourist destinations.”

“Grab will also arrange troops and pop-up booths in key tourist areas, including Banthat Thong, Yaowarat and ICONSIAM, offering exclusive ride and food delivery promotions to help Chinese travellers explore Thailand with greater convenience and confidence,” Panomkorn added.

*Based on a comparison of round-trip ride bookings of destinations between 1 January–15 September 2026 and the corresponding period in the previous year.
** Based on GrabFood order volume from1 January–15 September 2026.
***Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
**** Source: Xiaohongshu Platform
*****Based on a comparison of ride bookings to and from destinations between 1 January–15 September 2026 and the corresponding period in the previous year.
****** Based on search volume on the Grab app between January–August 2026.
******* Based on a comparison of round-trip ride bookings between 1–7 October 2025 and normal periods.