Thailand’s foreign arrivals fall 4.12% in year to October 17
Foreign visitors spent about 1.19 trillion baht in Thailand from January 1 to October 17, 2026, while weekly arrivals rose on stronger long-haul demand.
- From January 1 to October 17, Thailand received 24,423,680 foreign tourists, representing a 4.12% decline year-on-year.
- During this same period, foreign visitors contributed approximately 1.19 trillion baht in tourism-related spending.
- China was the largest source of tourists year-to-date with over 4.14 million arrivals, followed by Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea.
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals totalled 24,423,680 from January 1 to October 17, 2026, down 4.12% year on year, according to preliminary figures released by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul on October 19.
Foreign visitors spent 1,189.555 billion baht in Thailand during January 1–October 17, according to Surasak’s tourism update.
Thailand recorded 487,410 foreign arrivals during October 11–17, up 4,035, or 0.83%, from the previous week, Surasak reported. The weekly total represented an average of 69,630 arrivals a day.
China leads Thailand’s year-to-date visitor markets
China was Thailand’s largest source of foreign tourists during January 1–October 17, according to Surasak’s preliminary figures. The five leading markets were:
- China: 4,143,403 arrivals.
- Malaysia: 3,101,918 arrivals.
- India: 1,835,444 arrivals.
- Russia: 1,334,856 arrivals.
- South Korea: 895,659 arrivals.
Long-haul arrivals rise 10.55% in latest week
Long-haul arrivals to Thailand increased 10.55% week on week to 178,479 during October 11–17, supported by short school breaks in Europe and the Americas, according to Surasak.
Arrivals in Thailand from Russia and the United States increased during October 11–17 as the winter tourism season began, Surasak noted. The US market rose from seventh to fifth in the weekly rankings.
Short-haul arrivals fall after China’s Golden Week
Short-haul arrivals to Thailand fell 4.04% week on week to 308,931 during October 11–17, according to Surasak, as Chinese travel eased after the end of the Golden Week holiday.
Surasak linked the increase in Malaysian visitors to Thailand during October 11–17 partly to the vegetarian festival in Hat Yai.
Thailand’s five largest foreign visitor markets during October 11–17 were as follows, with all percentage changes measured against the previous week, according to Surasak:
- China: 65,270 arrivals, down 16.62%.
- Malaysia: 62,093 arrivals, up 7.65%.
- India: 40,721 arrivals, down 5.82%.
- Russia: 27,888 arrivals, up 8.29%.
- United States: 18,084 arrivals, up 8.18%.
Thailand expects arrivals to rise in week of October 18–24
Surasak expected foreign arrivals to Thailand to increase during October 18–24, supported by short school holidays in long-haul markets and the start of the winter tourism season. Short-haul demand, particularly from major source markets, was easing after extended holiday periods, he noted.
