Thailand received 464,200 foreign visitors between September 13 and 19, 2026, a weekly rise of 5.72%, with holiday travel from Malaysia and Japan leading the increase.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul released the latest figures on Monday, September 21. The rise amounted to 25,131 additional arrivals compared with the previous week, taking the daily average to 66,314 visitors.
Malaysia and Japan provide the weekly boost
Short-haul visitors accounted for 324,816 arrivals during the week, up 8.59% on the previous week. Long-haul arrivals totalled 139,384, down 0.41%.
Malaysia was Thailand's largest weekly market, sending 69,255 visitors, an increase of 29.12%. The ministry attributed the rise to travel over the Malaysia Day holiday.
Japanese arrivals rose by 55.36% to 30,494, supported by trips ahead of Japan's Silver Week period. Silver Week ran from September 19 to 23 and included Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day.
China supplied 66,151 visitors, up 1.18% week on week. India sent 34,432 travellers, down 13.61%, while Russian arrivals rose 7.59% to 19,531.
The ministry said Russia's increase reflected advance demand before the high season. Thailand remains a popular destination for Russian travellers, while growth in package tours was described as a positive sign for that market.
Year-to-date arrivals remain below 2025
From January 1 to September 19, Thailand welcomed 22,183,678 foreign tourists, down 3.67% from the same period a year earlier. Foreign tourism revenue was THB1.082821 trillion.
China remained the largest market over the year to date, with 3,728,585 visitors. Malaysia followed with 2,831,654, ahead of India on 1,640,441, Russia on 1,230,256 and South Korea on 811,246.
The latest improvement was largely driven by nearby markets, while many long-haul markets were in a pre-high-season lull.
Chinese and Korean holidays ahead
The ministry expects overall foreign arrivals to ease slightly in the following week as Malaysian travel declines after the Malaysia Day break.
However, South Korean arrivals are expected to receive support from Chuseok, running from September 24 to 26. Chinese arrivals could be aided by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from September 25 to 27, followed by National Day Golden Week from October 1 to 7.
Picture courtesy of The Nation
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23 September 2026
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