BANGKOK: Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul reported the latest tourism figures.
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 with 3,728,585 tourists, Malaysia with 2,831,654 tourists, India with 1,640,441 tourists, Russia with 1,230,256 tourists and South Korea with 811,246 tourists.
Malaysia and Japan drive rise in Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals
The overall tourism picture improved 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.
A total of 464,200 foreign tourists arrived in Thailand from September 13-19, 2026, up 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 with 69,255 tourists, up 29.12% from the previous week; China with 66,151 tourists, up 1.18%; India with 34,432 tourists, down 13.61%; Japan with 30,494 tourists, up 55.36%; and Russia with 19,531 tourists, up 7.59%.
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.
In the Chinese market, 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, are expected to provide support.
These holiday periods are expected to help offset the slowdown in the Malaysian market. - The Nation/ANN
