Thailand’s foreign visitor numbers up 8.24% in week to Oct 3
Golden Week lifted Chinese arrivals to Thailand by 41.98% week on week, while year-to-date foreign arrivals to October 3 fell 3.88% year on year.
- Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals rose by 8.24% to 522,532 in the week ending October 3.
- The increase was driven by stronger demand from both short-haul and long-haul markets, spurred by regional public holidays.
- China's Golden Week holiday was a major factor, with Chinese visitor arrivals surging by 41.98% compared to the previous week.
- Other key markets showing growth included India (up 16.53%) and Russia (up 14.23%).
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals rose 8.24% week on week to 522,532 during September 27–October 3, 2026, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said. In an update on October 5, Surasak attributed the increase to stronger short- and long-haul demand, with regional public holidays supporting travel.
Thailand received an average of 74,647 foreign tourists a day during September 27–October 3, Surasak said, with the weekly total 39,781 higher than in the preceding seven days.
Holiday travel lifts Thailand’s short-haul arrivals
China’s Golden Week holiday, marking National Day, helped boost short-haul arrivals to Thailand during September 27–October 3, Surasak said. Extended breaks around Hong Kong’s National Day and South Korea’s National Foundation Day also encouraged more international travel.
Long-haul arrivals to Thailand increased during September 27–October 3 as demand for travel to the country remained strong, according to Surasak.
The five largest markets for foreign arrivals to Thailand during September 27–October 3 were as follows, with all changes measured against the previous week, according to Surasak’s update:
- China: 133,946 visitors, up 41.98%.
- Malaysia: 59,871 visitors, down 0.64%.
- India: 46,942 visitors, up 16.53%.
- Russia: 22,326 visitors, up 14.23%.
- South Korea: 21,219 visitors, up 3.66%.
Thailand’s year-to-date foreign arrivals fall 3.88%
Thailand’s 2026 foreign tourist arrivals totalled 23,452,895 from January 1 to October 3, down 3.88% from the same period in 2025, Surasak said. Revenue from foreign tourists over the same period amounted to 1,142.485 billion baht, a 2.26% year-on-year decline.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports ranked Thailand’s five largest foreign tourist markets for January 1–October 3 as follows:
- China: 3,999,854 visitors.
- Malaysia: 2,982,095 visitors.
- India: 1,751,485 visitors.
- Russia: 1,281,214 visitors.
- South Korea: 860,655 visitors.
Surasak reports minor disruption from flight cancellations
Surasak said in his October 5 update that flight cancellations by some airlines had a minor impact on tourism, preventing some visitors from travelling to Thailand. News coverage of Bangkok’s flooding had not directly affected tourism, he said, explaining that natural events of this kind could occur in many parts of the world.
Thailand’s foreign arrivals expected to ease after holiday travel
Surasak expected Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals to ease in the week after October 3 as travel from China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia returned to normal after extended holiday breaks.
