China Eastern flight MU548, carrying 246 passengers, arrived at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 2.15 am, the Xinhua news agency said.
The plane had picked up the tourists at U-Tapao Airport about 150 kilometres from Bangkok, as the capital's main international airport remained closed because protesters continued to occupy the building.
At least three other flights were expected to bring home trapped Chinese tourists, believed to number between 2,000 and 3,000, according to Xinhua.
Thailand has been rattled by protests against Premier Somchai Wongsawat's administration, with tourists struggling to escape. -- AFP