In early 2026, Thailand welcomed nearly 6 million foreign tourists, generating approximately 293 billion baht. Strong arrivals from China and Malaysia boosted revenue, supported by favorable travel policies and trends.
Key Points
- Tourism Performance: Thailand saw nearly 6 million foreign arrivals and 293 billion baht in revenue from January 1 to February 22, 2026. China was the leading source market, contributing nearly 1 million visitors.
- Recent Trends: From February 16 to 22, arrivals totaled 879,587, a minor decline of 0.34%. Notable increases were seen in Malaysian arrivals (up 33%) and a 7.57% rise from Russia, while arrivals from China, India, and South Korea decreased slightly.
- Future Outlook: The government anticipates stable arrival numbers for the final week of February, bolstered by policies like the suspension of the TM.6 form and a focus on ASEAN travel trends, maintaining Thailand’s tourism growth momentum.
The Thai government reports strong early 2026 tourism performance, with nearly 6 million foreign arrivals and approximately 293 billion baht in revenue during the first two months.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Airin Phanrit reported that from January 1 to February 22, 2026, Thailand welcomed 5,947,434 international tourists, generating an estimated 293,119 million baht in revenue. China was the top source market with nearly 1 million visitors, followed by Malaysia, Russia, India, and South Korea.
From February 16 to 22, arrivals totaled 879,587, a slight 0.34% decrease from the previous week. Arrivals from Malaysia increased by over 33% due to school holidays, reaching 111,581, the highest in eight weeks. Russian arrivals rose by 7.57%. Arrivals from China, India, and South Korea declined as peak holiday periods ended, though Chinese arrivals remained strong at nearly 200,000 for the week.
For the final week of February, the government expects arrival numbers to remain stable. This outlook is supported by “Ease of Traveling” policies, including suspension of the TM.6 immigration form, increased flight frequencies, and the “Trusted Thailand” safety campaign. Additionally, a shift in Chinese travel trends toward ASEAN destinations continues to support Thailand’s tourism growth.
Source : Thailand Records Nearly 6 Million Foreign Arrivals in Early 2026
