Thailand arrivals reach 17.36m despite yearly dip

Thailand welcomed 17.36 million foreign visitors between January 1 and July 18, 2026, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The total was 3.05% lower than in the same period last year, although overseas tourists generated THB838.73 billion in spending.

The ministry released its latest figures on Monday, July 20. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the preliminary assessment covered arrivals from Thursday, January 1, to Saturday, July 18.

China remained Thailand's largest visitor market, supplying 2,862,241 arrivals. Malaysia followed with 2,250,015 visitors, ahead of India on 1,307,959, Russia on 1,061,349 and South Korea on 631,777.

Weekly arrivals rise

Tourism activity strengthened during the week of July 12-18, when Thailand recorded 585,189 foreign arrivals - 22,735, or 4.04%, more than the previous week. Average daily arrivals were 83,598.

Short-haul markets accounted for 382,072 visitors, up 6.00% week on week. Long-haul arrivals reached 203,117, a more modest increase of 0.56%.

China was again the largest market that week, with 107,875 visitors, up 8.27% from the preceding week. Malaysia provided 63,181 arrivals, down 17.82%, while India sent 35,114 visitors.

Taiwan moved from seventh to fourth place among weekly source markets after arrivals rose 50.74% to 25,201 following an easing of conditions linked to Typhoon Bavi. The United States was fifth with 20,461 visitors, an increase of 3.57%.

More flight connections

The ministry attributed the weekly improvement partly to summer school holidays in China and Taiwan, as well as increased flight frequencies. Shenzhen-Phuket flights rose from three to four services a week.

It also cited flydubai's new Dubai-Bangkok service to Don Mueang, which expands long-haul connecting options through the Emirates/flydubai network. Thai Airways has also launched an Amsterdam-Suvarnabhumi route.

For foreign residents and visitors, the additional routes may provide more connection choices through Bangkok and Phuket during the current holiday period. Higher visitor volumes can also mean busier airports and popular tourist areas, particularly as China, Malaysia and India remain Thailand's biggest source markets.

The ministry expects arrivals to rise again in the following week, supported by school holidays and the increased number of flights.

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22 July 2026