Between 1 January and 26 September 2026, Thailand welcomed 22,666,429 foreign visitors. Those visitors spent THB 1.105 trillion over the same period, about USD 32.9 billion. The figures come from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, released by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul at the end of September.
For anyone living in Thailand or planning a trip, the mix of who is coming matters. It shapes flight capacity, hotel rates and how busy the beaches, temples and night markets feel through the high season ahead.
Where are Thailand’s visitors coming from in 2026?
Five countries lead the year so far.
- China: 3,822,928 arrivals
- Malaysia: 2,891,908 arrivals
- India: 1,680,725 arrivals
- Russia: 1,249,801 arrivals
- South Korea: 831,716 arrivals
China is back at the top of the table. Malaysia, which led Thailand’s arrivals for the whole of 2025 with 4.5 million visitors, sits second. Much of that Malaysian travel crosses the land border into the south, to Hat Yai and Songkhla, for short breaks and weekends.
India holds third place, helped by direct flights from a growing list of Indian cities to Bangkok and Phuket. Russia remains one of Phuket’s most familiar markets, especially through the cooler months.
Which markets grew fastest last week?
In the week from 20 to 26 September, Thailand recorded 482,751 foreign arrivals, up 4% on the week before. That works out to an average of 68,964 arrivals a day.
Regional holidays drove the movement. The Mid-Autumn Festival brought a wave of travel from China and Taiwan, and Korea’s Chuseok holiday added to it.
- China: 94,343 arrivals, up 42.62% week on week
- Taiwan: 24,135 arrivals, up 33.25%
- India: 40,284 arrivals, up 17%
What it means for the season ahead
Thailand’s high season runs from November to March, when the rains ease on the Andaman coast and the cooler air arrives in the north. The final quarter usually brings the busiest months of the year, with Loy Krathong in late November and the long run of holidays into New Year.
If you are planning to travel in December, book flights and stays early, particularly in Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai. If you live here, the weeks around Chinese, Korean and Indian holidays are worth marking in the calendar, because they shape how busy the popular spots will be.
Common questions about Thailand tourist arrivals
How many tourists have visited Thailand in 2026?
Thailand recorded 22,666,429 foreign arrivals between 1 January and 26 September 2026, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Which country sends the most visitors to Thailand?
China leads 2026 so far with 3,822,928 arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 2,891,908 and India with 1,680,725.
How much have visitors spent in Thailand in 2026?
Foreign visitors spent THB 1.105 trillion between 1 January and 26 September 2026, about USD 32.9 billion.
How many people arrive in Thailand each day?
In the week from 20 to 26 September 2026, Thailand averaged 68,964 foreign arrivals a day, with 482,751 across the week.
Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand, reported by Nation Thailand, 30 September 2026. Figures exclude 22 to 25 June, when a system failure affected data collection in both 2025 and 2026.
