Bangkok, Thailand — When the March 2025 earthquake struck parts of Thailand, Airbnb hosts, many of them women, rallied to support their communities. They opened their doors not just as places to stay, but as safe havens for those in need, showing the true power of hospitality in times of crisis. Their response was a powerful reminder that hosting is more than just accommodation, it’s about connection, care, and community resilience.
In 2024, women made up over half of Airbnb’s host community globally, and in Thailand, they represented 55 percent. Additionally, in Thailand, over 43 percent of female hosts received 5-star reviews, with more than 54% of Guest Favourite listings hosted by women in 2024. This is a testament to their growing influence in tourism, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.
To mark Thailand’s National Women’s Day this month, Airbnb is shining a spotlight on the extraordinary women across the country who are transforming travel and making a meaningful impact through hosting.
As an emergency nurse, Sirintra Tipkaew—better known as Pui—is no stranger to caring for others. Whether she’s saving lives in the hospital or welcoming guests to her Airbnb in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, she brings the same empathy, attentiveness, and warmth to everything she does. Her home has become a favorite among travelers from Malaysia, Singapore, and beyond, not only because of Hat Yai’s direct train links and buzzing atmosphere, but because of the heartfelt hospitality that defines every stay.
“I always want my guests to feel truly at home,” Pui shares. “Some, especially students, spend months saving for their summer trip. I understand that deeply. To me, real hospitality isn’t about luxury, it’s about human connection and making people feel seen and valued.”
With glowing reviews, repeat visitors, and friendships that span borders, Pui’s Airbnb is more than just a place to stay, it’s a place where stories begin. Pui represents the strength and spirit of women who open their homes to the world and create spaces of kindness, comfort, and community.
Sirilak Thanmaporn—known to friends as Ga—shows that it’s never too late to start over and write a new chapter. After decades building a career in architecture, real estate, and design in Bangkok, she began yearning for a life closer to nature and her roots. At 50, Ga made the bold decision to return to Ayutthaya, her hometown, in search of a more mindful, sustainable way of living. She bought a riverside plot near her parents’ home and built a treehouse as her personal retreat. But what began as a quiet escape soon became something more, when a friend encouraged her to list it on Airbnb. With curiosity and a leap of faith, Ga stepped into the world of hosting and hasn’t looked back since.
“I started this journey at 50, not with fear, but with energy and determination,” Ga says with a smile. “Sure, we may not move as fast as we used to, but that doesn’t matter. The key is to set your own goals, respect your pace, and just begin. This place feels like home. Maybe not the dream home, but one we truly appreciate.”
Now nearly 60, Ga is almost a decade into her hosting journey and still going strong. For her, Airbnb offers more than income, it’s a lifestyle. One that allows her to meet people from around the world, stay close to her family, and live life on her own terms. Her story is a powerful reminder that reinvention has no age limit and that women have the strength to create a new path, anytime they choose.
For Ratchakorn Pornprasert—better known as Luktan or Rachael—food has always been more than just nourishment. It’s memory. It’s heritage. Raised in a family where recipes were passed down like heirlooms, she learned early on that every dish told a story, connecting generations through flavor, technique, and the simple joy of a shared meal. Inspired by her grandmother’s legacy, Rachael and a close friend launched a small cooking school set in a longan orchard, an unused space transformed into a classroom of culture and connection. Through Airbnb Experiences, she began teaching Thai and Lanna cuisine to travelers from around the world. But for Rachael, it wasn’t just about sharing recipes, it became a way to preserve identity, build bridges, and quietly challenge expectations.
“In this field, especially as women, we often walk into rooms where our expertise is doubted before it’s understood,” Rachael shares. “Sometimes male guests arrive skeptical, questioning whether I can truly teach them anything. I don’t argue, I guide. And somewhere between slicing, stirring, and tasting, the doubt fades and respect takes its place.”
Each session becomes more than a cooking class, it’s a quiet act of empowerment. A reminder that assumptions can be unlearned and that cultural pride can simmer in every pan.
Rachael reflects on Thai cuisine as a metaphor for Thai women themselves—bold, vibrant, layered, and impossible to ignore. “If Thai cuisine were a person,” she says, “it would be like Som Tam—sweet, sour, spicy, salty. Lively and complex. Just like us.”
Thai women continue to shape the future of travel through Airbnb, whether by opening their homes or offering immersive local experiences. During the month of National Women’s Day, Airbnb celebrates their impact, resilience, and the meaningful connections they create, one stay and one experience at a time.