CHIANG RAI – This year, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport moved beyond basic arrivals and departures, and instead, it put more of a focus on a warm, cultural welcome that helps visitors feel confident and encourages local spending.
At the same time, Thailand’s aviation recovery shows up in the latest numbers from Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT). AOT reported net profit of 4,652.62 million baht for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
Even though AOT’s results reflect the national picture, steady travel demand matters more for regional airports. Chiang Rai, in particular, benefits when flights and passenger traffic rise.
That matters because provincial tourism remains a key income source, especially while Thailand’s manufacturing sector faces long-term structural pressure.
Nakon Chiang Rai reports, Tourism statistics for Chiang Rai in 2025 show total tourism revenue of 51,540.09 million baht, with 6,463,147 visitors overall. For local businesses, those numbers still represent one of the strongest economic anchors.
Mae Fah Luang Airport marks the Chinese New Year.
The holiday activity ramped up on February 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., when Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport held a Chinese New Year event for 2026. Group Captain Sakarn Udon (Expert Level 9) served as acting airport director and led the event with airport executives and staff.
During the event, the team handed out lucky oranges as small gifts to passengers, airport users, and businesses inside the terminal. The goal was simple: share New Year greetings and create a positive first impression.
In addition, the airport set up a decorated photo booth area for the season. Travelers could take pictures from February 1 to February 28, 2026, near the domestic arrivals area. Small touches like this help visitors feel welcomed from the moment they arrive.
From a business view, these activities may look minor. Still, after years of uncertainty, travelers often judge a destination by the basics. That includes airport comfort, clear communication, language support, and easy onward travel. When people feel safe and cared for, they often stay longer and spend more time in town.
AOT reports 4.65 billion baht profit in fiscal 2026 Q1
AOT’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 results cover October through December 2025. In that period, the company reporteda net profit of 4,652.62 million baht and total revenue of 17,332.42 million baht.
Traffic numbers also moved up. AOT reported 208,281 total flights across its six airports, Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. Passenger volume reached 34.47 million people, also higher than the same period last year.
These figures point to more than profit. They suggest travel demand keeps building, which increases pressure on airport capacity. As some airports move closer to their limits, expansion plans gain urgency. In practice, more capacity supports tourism, trade, and regional connectivity.
Airports traditionally earn much of their income from aviation activities. However, when global conditions shift, that model can feel unstable. For that reason, many airport operators work to increase non-aviation revenue, such as retail, property, services, and commercial activity around airports.
For AOT, the company has discussed pushing non-aviation growth through commercial area development and private investment. Reported examples include an approved electric bus charging station project at Suvarnabhumi. AOT has also mentioned plans tied to opening bids for commercial development space at Hat Yai.
Meanwhile, AOT has discussed adjusting outbound passenger service charges to better match current conditions, with expectations around mid-2026. Investors watch this closely because it affects cash flow and long-term investment support.
Chiang Rai tourism tops 51.5 billion baht.
Back in Chiang Rai, the 2025 tourism data shows a strong base. The province welcomed 6,463,147 visitors and generated 51,540.09 million baht in tourism revenue.
Still, the breakdown matters. Thai travelers remain the main driver, with 5,765,564 visitors generating 44,460.27 million baht. Foreign visitors totaled 697,583 people and brought in 7,079.82 million baht.
At the same time, the same dataset indicates international tourism in Chiang Rai declined compared with 2024, both in visitor counts and revenue. Because of that, the Chinese New Year carries extra weight. It serves as a clear moment to gauge how strongly the Chinese market returns, and whether visits can turn into repeat trips and word of mouth.
By highlighting Thai-Chinese ties through its welcome activities, the airport signals that Chinese tourists remain an important segment for Chiang Rai. For tourism operators, the Chinese New Year is not only a holiday rush. It also tests the full system, flights, transfers, city travel, language support, payment options, and safety management.
Chiang Rai stands out for its strong cultural identity. However, visitors also expect modern comfort and easy movement. When travel feels simple, people often add extra nights, spend more per trip, and spread spending into local communities. That’s the kind of growth provinces want now, not only more arrivals, but better-quality stays.
Chiang Rai must turn arrivals into longer stays.
AOT’s passenger total of 34.47 million in fiscal 2026 Q1 shows broader demand is there. However, the local challenge is turning airport traffic into real value inside the province.
For Chiang Rai, success is not only more flights or more passengers. The bigger goal is to encourage people who land at the airport to stay longer, buy local products and services, and travel beyond the city center into secondary towns and communities.
Even with high tourism revenue, the province remains sensitive to seasonality and shifts in foreign demand, especially after the 2025 decline in international figures.
So, Chinese New Year events at the airport work as a positive signal at the first touchpoint. Over the longer term, Chiang Rai still needs coordinated action. That includes better marketing, stronger tourism products, easier access, and consistent service standards. Without that, the boost may fade after the holiday.
Airport expansion and changes in airport revenue strategy affect provinces like Chiang Rai. If capacity increases, airlines can add routes, raise flight frequency, and improve convenience. As a result, it becomes easier to bring visitors in and to connect them to other regions.
Still, infrastructure alone doesn’t guarantee broad benefits. If tourism income fails to reach small businesses, communities, and service workers, public support can weaken over time. That can hurt the destination’s long-term quality and cooperation.
In that sense, Chiang Rai’s 2025 tourism revenue of 51,540.09 million baht proves tourism supports the local economy. The next step is making that revenue more stable and more evenly shared, not only chasing bigger headcounts.
Chiang Rai’s next step is building confidence
Chinese New Year 2026 brings fresh energy to Chiang Rai tourism. Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport set the tone with cultural welcome activities that made arrivals feel special. Meanwhile, the national aviation picture looks healthier, reflected in AOT’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 net profit of 4,652.62 million baht and 34.47 million passengers across its airports.
Even so, Chiang Rai still faces two big tasks in parallel. First, it must protect and improve the domestic market that delivers most of its revenue. Second, it needs to rebuild international demand with a focus on quality, after 2025 figures showed a decline compared with the prior year.
In 2026, the real turning point won’t be a single festival week. It will be whether the holiday momentum leads to longer stays, wider local spending, and stronger trust. That’s how a 51.5 billion baht tourism economy becomes a better daily life for people in the province.
Key figures and dates
- Chiang Rai (2025): 6,463,147 total visitors, 51,540.09 million baht total tourism revenue, domestic travelers formed the largest share, the international market declined compared with 2024
- AOT (fiscal 2026 Q1): 4,652.62 million baht net profit, 17,332.42 million baht total revenue, 208,281 flights, 34.47 million passengers
- Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport Chinese New Year activities (2026): event held February 17, 2026, photo booth available February 1 to February 28, 2026
