Thailand Tourist Arrivals
In quarter 1, year 69, 347 foreigners were allowed to come and invest in business in Thailand. Up 28%YoY. Total 97,780 million baht. Up 108%YoY Top5 are the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Here’s a comprehensive roundup of the latest Thailand tourist arrival news:
🇹🇭 Thailand Tourism Arrivals — April 2026 Update
📊 Latest Figures
From January 1 to April 19, 2026, Thailand received about 10.83 million foreign arrivals, down 3.34% year-on-year, according to the Tourism Ministry (as of April 21).
The week of April 6–12 alone recorded 619,481 arrivals, a notable jump largely driven by the Songkran festival, which remains one of the biggest highlights of Thailand’s tourism calendar.
📅 Monthly Breakdown
Thailand welcomed 6.54 million international visitors from January 1–February 28, 2026, down 4.2% year-on-year, though February itself rose 4.63% supported by Chinese New Year demand.
- January: 3.28 million arrivals
- February: 3.26 million arrivals
- March (partial): ~2.8 million arrivals
🌍 Top Source Markets
The top five source markets remained China, Malaysia, Russia, India, and South Korea, with China leading at over 1 million visitors in the first two months. Chinese arrivals peaked at around 30,000 per day during Chinese New Year.
⚠️ Headwinds: Middle East Tensions & Airfares
Kasikorn Research Center forecasts a 9.2% drop in Q2 arrivals, with foreign visitors projected at only 6.49 million — well below the 9.32 million recorded in Q1. Rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and soaring airfares are key factors.
European arrivals fell 14%, tied to flight routes transiting the Middle East, while arrivals from Middle Eastern countries dropped 55%.
🎯 Full-Year Targets & Challenges
Thailand’s official target for 2026 is more than 10% growth in international arrivals, aiming to bring visitor numbers above the 36 million mark. The Tourism Council of Thailand has stressed a focus on quality over quantity, encouraging higher-spending tourists.
However, with the ongoing downturn, the government’s original 35 million target is increasingly difficult to achieve. A forecasted reduction of up to three million visitors could bring the total closer to 28 million.
🏙️ Bangkok Still on Top
In a positive note, Bangkok was ranked the most-visited city in the world in 2025, reinforcing Thailand’s capital as a top global destination heading into 2026.
Bottom line: Thailand’s tourism recovery is progressing but unevenly — Songkran provided a seasonal boost, but global headwinds from the Middle East conflict and high airfares are creating real pressure on hitting 2026 targets.
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