Thailand welcomes 20.8 million foreign tourists, earns over THB1 trillion in 8 months

Thailand welcomed 20.81 million international visitors between 1 January and 29 August 2026, down 2.97% from the same period last year, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.

Foreign tourists generated THB1.007 trillion in tourism revenue during the period.

China remained Thailand’s largest source market with 3.52 million visitors, followed by Malaysia with 2.63 million, India with 1.53 million, Russia with 1.18 million and South Korea with 765,842.

Thailand received 491,456 foreign visitors during the week of 23–29 August, down 11.67% from the previous week. Chinese arrivals fell 24.44% week-on-week, while Malaysian visitors rose 18.76%.

Authorities expect arrivals to remain at a similar level in the following week as the summer holiday season ends in key markets, although Malaysia’s National Day holiday is expected to support arrivals from the country.