Thailand’s international tourist arrivals in 2026 confirm a solid start to the year, following the 32.97 million international visitors recorded in 2025.
By the end of May, Thailand had welcomed 14.03 million international visitors since the beginning of the year. May showed signs of stabilization after the slowdown observed in April, with 2,346,850 international arrivals, a level almost unchanged from the previous month.
Thailand tourist arrivals 2026: key figures
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 3,277,910 | Full month |
| February 2026 | 3,263,800 | Full month |
| March 2026 | 2,775,200 | Full month |
| April 2026 | 2,368,900 | Full month |
| May 2026 | 2,346,850 | Full month |
| Cumulative visitors January-May | 14,032,660 | January 1 to May 31, 2026 |
| Accommodation occupancy rate | 69.00% | May 2026 |
| 3-month advance booking rate | 20.89% | May 2026 |
| Average room rate | 1,804.80 baht | May 2026 |
Editorial update: July 2026. Monthly figures are based on the Bank of Thailand’s Tourism Indicators, provisional data updated on June 30, 2026.
Monthly tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2026
| Month | Arrivals | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 3,277,910 | High volume, supported by peak season demand. |
| February 2026 | 3,263,800 | Still elevated, close to January’s level. |
| March 2026 | 2,775,200 | Clear decline compared with January and February, but still a solid volume. |
| April 2026 | 2,368,900 | Another monthly decline despite Songkran, with arrivals below March. |
| May 2026 | 2,346,850 | Slightly lower than April, but almost stable. |
| June 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| July 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| August 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| September 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| October 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| November 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
| December 2026 | Coming soon | Monthly update planned. |
Source: Bank of Thailand – Tourism Indicators, provisional data published on June 30, 2026.
Thailand tourism from January to May 2026: where does the country stand?
So far, the figures point to solid activity, but with less momentum than during the peak season. Between January 1 and May 31, 2026, Thailand welcomed 14,032,660 international visitors.
After two very strong months in January and February, arrivals fell to 2,775,200 visitors in March, then to 2,368,900 visitors in April. In May, Thailand recorded 2,346,850 international arrivals, a level very close to April.
The accommodation picture is more cautious. The total occupancy rate fell from 72.47% in April to 69.00% in May. The average room rate also declined, from 1,947.29 baht to 1,804.80 baht.
The three-month advance booking rate also edged down to 20.89% in May, compared with 21.73% in April. This confirms weaker visibility for tourism operators as Thailand moves into the low season.
Accommodation in May 2026: Southern Thailand remains the strongest region
Accommodation data for May 2026 shows clear differences between regions. Southern Thailand recorded the highest occupancy rate and the highest average room rate, supported by beach and island destinations.
| Region | Occupancy rate | Average room rate | Share of foreign tourists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Thailand | 69.00% | 1,804.80 baht | 19.99% |
| Central, including Bangkok | 70.25% | 2,015.32 baht | 16.65% |
| South | 72.75% | 2,294.50 baht | 45.85% |
| North | 60.35% | 1,398.57 baht | 10.24% |
| Northeast | 64.53% | 749.50 baht | 6.81% |
In May 2026, the South therefore recorded the highest occupancy rate, the highest average room rate and the largest share of international guests. By contrast, the North and Northeast remain less dependent on foreign tourists, with more affordable accommodation rates.
Top source markets: latest available data as of April 26, 2026
According to figures from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, relayed by The Nation, the main source markets as of April 26, 2026 were as follows:
| Rank | Country | Cumulative total as of April 26, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1,836,916 |
| 2 | Malaysia | 1,228,057 |
| 3 | Russia | 849,367 |
| 4 | India | 805,208 |
| 5 | South Korea | 465,702 |
In this ranking available as of April 26, 2026, China remains Thailand’s leading source market, ahead of Malaysia. However, these figures correspond to a cumulative total as of April 26, 2026, while monthly data from the Bank of Thailand is now available through May 2026.
Source: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, figures relayed by The Nation.
Songkran 2026: a short-term boost for arrivals
The week from April 6 to April 12, 2026 recorded 619,481 international arrivals, marking a significant increase compared with the previous week. This jump was largely driven by Songkran, which remains one of the biggest highlights of Thailand’s tourism calendar.
However, the full-month April data adds an important nuance: despite this New Year peak, April remained below March, with 2,368,900 international arrivals. Songkran supported visitor flows over a short period, but it did not prevent the broader seasonal slowdown.
May then confirmed this transition toward a quieter period, with 2,346,850 international arrivals, a level very close to April.
2025 vs 2026: January–March tourism comparison
The year 2025 ended with 32.97 million visitors, down from 2024. In 2026, the first quarter reached 9,316,910 international arrivals, compared with 9,549,010 over the same period in 2025.
The decline was therefore limited to -2.4% for the quarter as a whole. It was mainly driven by a weaker January than in 2025, partly offset by stronger results in February and March. In other words, Thailand remains on a high tourism trajectory, but the momentum is still gradual rather than spectacular.
| Period | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3,709,100 | 3,277,910 | -11.6% |
| February | 3,119,450 | 3,263,800 | +4.6% |
| March | 2,720,460 | 2,775,200 | +2.0% |
| Total January to March | 9,549,010 | 9,316,910 | -2.4% |
With April and May now included, Thailand reached 14,032,660 international visitors over the first five months of 2026. The overall level remains high, but the decline observed after February shows that the recovery is not linear.
Forecasts and targets for 2026
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects 30 to 34 million international arrivals in 2026, a deliberately cautious range that reflects geopolitical uncertainty, air connectivity constraints, energy price volatility and regional competition.
With 14,032,660 international arrivals between January 1 and May 31, 2026, the lower end of that range remains achievable. To reach 30 million visitors, Thailand would need around 15.97 million additional visitors over the final seven months of the year. The upper end of 34 million would require stronger momentum in the second half of the year, especially when the high season returns later in the year.
The slowdown observed after February does not undermine the overall strength of Thailand’s tourism market, but it does call for caution when interpreting the figures. Thailand still has a large tourism base, without showing a spectacular acceleration for now.
What Thailand tourism trends mean for travelers in 2026
- Tourist volumes remain high, especially during peak season and major events.
- The beginning of the year remains active, which confirms the value of booking early for popular destinations.
- April and May mark a quieter period, after the January and February peaks.
- Shoulder periods can still offer a better balance of weather, prices and crowd levels.
- Southern Thailand remains highly internationalized, with a higher share of foreign guests in accommodation.
- Northern Thailand and the Northeast may offer better value than the most tourist-heavy destinations, especially on accommodation prices.
Methodology and sources
This page combines several types of sources:
- monthly series published by the Bank of Thailand for the months already available;
- government and institutional communications on visitor totals and tourism revenue;
- weekly tourism reports relayed by Thai media based on ministry data.
It is normal for some figures to differ slightly depending on whether they refer to a full month, a cumulative total as of a specific date or a value published on a different date. This distinction is important when reading Thailand’s 2026 tourism statistics.
For monthly data from January to May 2026, the source used is the Bank of Thailand – Tourism Indicators, updated on June 30, 2026.
FAQ: Thailand tourism 2026
How many tourists visited Thailand in 2026?
As of May 31, 2026, Thailand had welcomed 14,032,660 international visitors since January 1.
How many tourists visited Thailand in January 2026?
The Bank of Thailand reports 3,277,910 international arrivals in January 2026.
How many tourists visited Thailand in February 2026?
The Bank of Thailand reports 3,263,800 international arrivals in February 2026.
How many tourists visited Thailand in March 2026?
The Bank of Thailand reports 2,775,200 international arrivals in March 2026. The first-quarter total therefore reached 9,316,910 international visitors.
How many tourists visited Thailand in April 2026?
The Bank of Thailand reports 2,368,900 international arrivals in April 2026.
How many tourists visited Thailand in May 2026?
The Bank of Thailand reports 2,346,850 international arrivals in May 2026, in its June 30, 2026 update.
What is Thailand’s top source market in 2026?
As of April 26, 2026, China remained Thailand’s leading source market in the latest available ranking, ahead of Malaysia, according to figures from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports relayed by The Nation.
What is the official forecast for 2026?
TAT projects 30 to 34 million international arrivals in 2026, under a cautious scenario shaped by geopolitical conditions, air connectivity and regional demand.
What is Thailand’s tourism momentum in 2026?
The situation remains solid, but the improvement is not spectacular. Volumes are still high, while the first quarter of 2026 remained slightly below the same period in 2025. April and May then confirmed a seasonal slowdown after the peak season, with arrivals almost stable between the two months.
To compare with the previous year, you can also read our full review of Thailand tourism in 2025.
🔄 Last updated on July 8, 2026
