Malaysia and Japan drive rise in Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals
Thailand recorded 22,183,678 foreign tourist arrivals in the year to Saturday (September 19, 2026), down 3.67%, while the latest weekly total rose 5.72%.
- In the week of September 13-19, Thailand saw a 5.72% increase in foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous week.
- Tourist arrivals from Malaysia were a primary driver of this growth, increasing by 29.12% due to the Malaysia Day holiday.
- Arrivals from Japan also contributed significantly, rising by 55.36% as tourists traveled ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul reported the latest tourism figures on Monday (September 21, 2026).
Thailand welcomed 22,183,678 foreign tourists from January 1 to September 19, 2026, down 3.67% from the same period a year earlier, with foreign tourism revenue reaching THB1.082821 trillion.
The five largest source markets were:
- China: 3,728,585 tourists
- Malaysia: 2,831,654 tourists
- India: 1,640,441 tourists
- Russia: 1,230,256 tourists
- South Korea: 811,246 tourists
The overall tourism picture began to improve this week, supported by short-haul markets.
Arrivals from Malaysia rose 29.12% from the previous week, driven by travel during the Malaysia Day holiday.
Arrivals from Japan rose 55.36% from the previous week, supported by travel ahead of Silver Week, which runs from September 19-23, 2026, and includes Respect for the Aged Day, a special holiday and Autumnal Equinox Day.
Long-haul markets, meanwhile, showed signs of slowing because most were in a lull ahead of the high season in October.
Arrivals from Russia increased 7.59% from the previous week, driven by advance demand ahead of the high season.
Thailand is a popular destination for Russian tourists, while growth in package travel provided a positive signal for the market’s outlook.
Foreign arrivals to Thailand rise
A total of 464,200 foreign tourists arrived in Thailand from September 13-19, 2026, an increase of 25,131, or 5.72%, from the previous week.
The daily average was 66,314. By market group, short-haul arrivals totalled 324,816, up 8.59% week on week, while long-haul arrivals stood at 139,384, down 0.41%.
The five largest source markets were:
- Malaysia: 69,255 tourists, up 29.12% from the previous week
- China: 66,151 tourists, up 1.18%
- India: 34,432 tourists, down 13.61%
- Japan: 30,494 tourists, up 55.36%
- Russia: 19,531 tourists, up 7.59%
Chinese holidays expected to support arrivals
Foreign tourist arrivals are expected to edge down next week, with the Malaysian market likely to slow after the Malaysia Day holiday.
The Chuseok holiday from September 24-26, 2026, is expected to support the South Korean market.
For the Chinese market, support is expected from the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from September 25-27, 2026, and the Chinese National Day holiday from October 1-7, 2026, known as Golden Week.
These holiday periods are expected to help offset the slowdown in the Malaysian market.
