Malaysia Overtakes Thailand To Become Most Visited Country In Southeast Asia In Q1 2025

Malaysia saw over 10.1 million foreign arrivals in the first quarter of calendar year 2025, according to a report from Vietnamese News company 'VN Express International'.

Malaysia dethroned Thailand, which came in second in Southeast Asia with 9.55 million tourist arrivals, with Vietnam trailing by 6 million followed by Singapore at 4.31 million.

This influx of tourism is most likely due to the country's visa policies which were loosened up.

Malaysia extended the visa exemption for Chinese tourists for five more years. They can also extend it for another five years to 2036.

The country also extended visa-free entry for Indian tourists until 2026.

Thailand's recent ebb in tourism could be due to security concerns in the country, according to the news firm, after the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Bangkok as he fell victim to an elaborate scam.

Wang said that he was lured to Thailand by a scam center in Myanmar and went missing for two days. He was kidnapped by fraudsters and forced to undergo "scam training" along with 50 other Chinese prisoners. He was eventually found by Thai authorities, according to Chinese news reports.

Malaysia topped Insider Monkey's list of 20 most loved countries in Asia.

Malaysia is noted for its cultural landmarks such as Batu Caves, architectural wonders such as Petronas Twin towers and Langkawi Sky Bridge, as well as tropical beach sites, with a notable example being Cenang beach.

Malaysia's Tioman island is well known for its snorkeling scene, where tourists can observe coral reefs and marine life up close.

The states of Sarawak and Sabah are teeming with rainforests and wildlife for those looking for a safari in Malaysia.