Thailand Tourism 2026: Monthly Figures, Trends and Key Data

In 2026, Thailand’s international tourist arrivals are down compared with 2025. After a recovery in July, visitor numbers fell again in September, the least busy month of the year so far.

From January to September 2026, Thailand recorded 23,199,306 international arrivals, a decrease of 3.80% year on year. September accounted for 2,000,339 visitors (−20.47% compared with August), according to provisional data from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS).

Thailand tourist arrivals 2026: key figures

Editorial update: 26 October 2026. Arrivals: MOTS provisional September 2026 data, published on 1 October 2026. Accommodation: Bank of Thailand – Tourism Indicators, with the latest accommodation observations for August 2026 (table updated on 14 October 2026).

Monthly tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2026

Source: MOTS – International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand, September 2026 (Excel); official 2026 statistics archive. Provisional figures (2026P), published on 1 October 2026. Some monthly values differ from earlier statistical releases.

Thailand tourism from January to September 2026: where does the country stand?

Between 1 January and 30 September 2026, Thailand recorded 23,199,306 international arrivals, compared with 24,115,325 over the same period in 2025. This represents a 3.80% year-on-year decline.

January and February were the busiest months of the first nine months, with 3,277,908 and 3,263,802 arrivals respectively. Visitor numbers then declined during the spring, from 2,775,199 in March to 2,368,895 in April and 2,346,845 in May.

June recorded 2,105,383 arrivals according to MOTS, continuing the slowdown observed since March.

In July, arrivals recovered to 2,545,616, an increase of 20.91% compared with June, before easing slightly in August to 2,515,319 (−1.19%).

September saw 2,000,339 international arrivals, or 514,980 fewer than in August. This represents a 20.47% month-on-month decrease and a 10.53% decline compared with September 2025. It was the lowest monthly figure recorded between January and September 2026. Monthly comparisons should nevertheless be interpreted carefully because tourism is highly seasonal.

By the end of August, cumulative arrivals had reached 21,198,967 in the MOTS publication. All cumulative totals and monthly comparisons in this article are based on the same statistical series.

Accommodation in August 2026: Central Thailand and the South remain ahead

August data shows a slight decline in occupancy across Thailand’s main regions. Central Thailand, including Bangkok, retained the highest rate at 70.77%, just ahead of the South at 70.30%.

Compared with July, the national occupancy rate fell by 1.55 percentage points. Central Thailand declined from 72.40% to 70.77%, the South from 71.65% to 70.30%, the North from 60.58% to 60.25%, and the Northeast from 67.74% to 64.54%.

The South nevertheless recorded the highest average room rate, at 2,274.67 baht, ahead of Central Thailand at 2,047.48 baht. The national average stood at 1,788.25 baht.

Three-month advance bookings were highest in Central Thailand at 24.59%, followed by the South at 22.29%. Nationwide, the rate increased slightly from 18.06% in July to 18.63% in August.

Source for accommodation indicators: Bank of Thailand – Tourism Indicators, August 2026 data. These figures do not describe September and should not be confused with international tourist arrival numbers.

Thailand source markets: China leads at the end of September 2026

Detailed monthly statistics from MOTS provide a breakdown of international arrivals by nationality through 30 September 2026. The ranking below covers the first nine months of the year, rather than an interim weekly report from August.

China remains Thailand’s largest source market, with nearly 3.94 million arrivals. It is followed by Malaysia (2.95 million), India (1.73 million), Russia (1.27 million) and South Korea (848,647).

In September alone, the leading markets were China (349,182 arrivals), Malaysia (261,325), India (166,849), Japan (96,460) and Russia (81,744).

Visitors from France accounted for 602,307 arrivals between January and September 2026, compared with 599,072 during the same period in 2025, representing a slight increase of approximately 0.54%.

Source: MOTS – International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand, September 2026, nationality breakdown and January–September cumulative totals.

Songkran 2026: a short-term boost for arrivals

The week from 6 to 12 April 2026 recorded 619,481 international arrivals, an increase of 8.76% compared with the previous week. The rise was supported in particular by nearby international markets during the Songkran celebrations.

However, the full-month figures add an important nuance. Despite the Thai New Year peak, April remained below March, with 2,368,895 international arrivals, compared with 2,775,199 in March. Songkran therefore provided a short-term boost without immediately reversing the broader spring slowdown.

May recorded 2,346,845 arrivals, followed by 2,105,383 in June according to the MOTS series. July then recovered to 2,545,616, August reached 2,515,319, before arrivals fell again in September to 2,000,339.

Source for the Songkran weekly report: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, data from 6 to 12 April 2026, relayed by ThailandPlus. Monthly totals: MOTS publication dated 1 October 2026.

2025 vs 2026: a 3.80% decline over nine months

Thailand welcomed approximately 32.97 million international visitors in 2025. Arrivals remain substantial in 2026, but the first nine months show a decline compared with the previous year.

The table below uses the same MOTS publication for both years to avoid comparing different releases of the statistical series.

Over the first quarter, arrivals fell by approximately 2.43%, with 9,316,909 arrivals in 2026 compared with 9,549,004 in 2025. February (+4.63%), March (+2.01%) and May (+3.54%) were the only months from January to September 2026 to record year-on-year growth.

The decline was particularly pronounced in January (−11.63%) and September (−10.53%). Overall, Thailand recorded 916,019 fewer international arrivals during the first nine months of 2026 than during the same period in 2025.

Source: MOTS, 2025P/2026P comparative table, September 2026. Provisional figures subject to revision.

Thailand tourism forecast and targets for 2026

In an update presented on 10 June 2026, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projected approximately 33 million international arrivals for the full year. This was a forecast announced at the time, not a confirmed result.

TAT’s strategy places greater emphasis on the economic value of tourism rather than visitor growth alone. Priorities include wellness, gastronomy, events, sustainability and a broader distribution of tourism benefits across destinations.

Following 23,199,306 arrivals between January and September 2026, Thailand would need another 9,800,694 visitors between October and December to reach the 33 million target.

That represents an average of approximately 3,266,898 arrivals per month during the final quarter. The year-end peak season will therefore play an important role in determining whether this projection is reached. These calculations are illustrative and do not constitute a new TAT forecast.

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand – Thailand Tourism Update, 10 June 2026. Portail Asie calculations based on MOTS arrivals through September 2026.

What Thailand tourism trends mean for travellers in 2026

• International visitor numbers remain substantial: 23.20 million arrivals during the first nine months, despite a 3.80% decline compared with 2025.
• January and February were the busiest months of the year so far, with more than 3.2 million arrivals each.
• September was the least busy month from January to September, with 2.00 million arrivals. This does not mean that every destination experienced an equivalent reduction in crowds.
• Arrivals recovered in July: up 20.91% compared with June, followed by a slight decline in August.
• Thailand’s national occupancy rate was 68.50% in August, compared with 70.05% in July. September accommodation data was not yet available in the BOT table consulted.
• Central Thailand, including Bangkok, recorded the highest regional occupancy rate in August, at 70.77%, just ahead of the South at 70.30%.
• The South had the highest average room rate, at 2,274.67 baht in August.
• China remained Thailand’s largest international source market during the January–September period, followed by Malaysia and India.

Arrival figures alone cannot determine the best time to travel. Weather conditions, accommodation prices and visitor numbers vary by region and season. To plan your trip, read our guide to the rainy season in Thailand and its regional differences.

Methodology and sources

This article combines three types of official sources, with their reporting periods clearly distinguished:

• Monthly statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), used as the primary source for international arrivals, annual totals, nationality breakdowns and 2025–2026 comparisons; the September report was published on 1 October 2026.
• Tourism Indicators from the Bank of Thailand (BOT), used here for accommodation occupancy rates, advance bookings and average room rates, with the latest available national accommodation observations covering August 2026.
• Official communications from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), used for tourism forecasts and strategic priorities announced in June 2026.

MOTS figures refer to international tourist arrivals, not the number of overnight stays or the number of people present in Thailand at any given time. Accommodation occupancy rates measure a different aspect of tourism and should not be confused with arrivals.

The 2026 figures are marked as provisional (2026P) and may change. For June 2026, MOTS reports 2,105,383 arrivals, while the BOT table consulted displays approximately 1,841,550. The MOTS spreadsheet does not explain the specific reason for this discrepancy. To ensure consistent monthly comparisons, this article uses the MOTS publication dated 1 October 2026 for all international arrival figures.

Main sources: MOTS – International Tourist Arrivals, September 2026 (Excel file); official MOTS statistics archive; Bank of Thailand – Tourism Indicators; TAT – 10 June 2026 tourism update.

FAQ: Thailand tourism 2026

How many tourists have visited Thailand in 2026?

Between 1 January and 30 September 2026, Thailand recorded 23,199,306 international arrivals according to provisional MOTS statistics. This is not yet the full-year total.

How many tourists visited Thailand in September 2026?

MOTS recorded 2,000,339 international arrivals in September 2026, representing a 20.47% decline compared with August 2026 and a 10.53% decrease compared with September 2025.

How many tourists visited Thailand in August 2026?

The MOTS series reports 2,515,319 arrivals in August 2026, compared with 2,545,616 in July, a decline of approximately 1.19%.

What was Thailand’s accommodation occupancy rate in August 2026?

Thailand’s average accommodation occupancy rate reached 68.50% in August 2026 according to BOT data. Central Thailand, including Bangkok, recorded the highest regional rate at 70.77%, just ahead of the South at 70.30%.

What was the average room rate in Thailand in August 2026?

According to the accommodation survey used by the Bank of Thailand, the national average room rate was 1,788.25 baht per room in August. The South recorded the highest regional average at 2,274.67 baht.

Which country is Thailand’s largest tourism source market in 2026?

At the end of September 2026, China remained Thailand’s largest source market with 3,935,434 arrivals since January, followed by Malaysia (2,950,327) and India (1,727,437).

What is Thailand’s tourism forecast for 2026?

In its 10 June 2026 update, the Tourism Authority of Thailand projected approximately 33 million international arrivals for the full year. Following September’s figures, another 9.80 million arrivals would be required in the final quarter to reach that level.

Is tourism in Thailand increasing or decreasing in 2026?

During the first nine months of 2026, international arrivals fell by 3.80% compared with the same period in 2025. Monthly trends remained uneven, with a recovery in July followed by a sharp decline in September.

Why do MOTS and Bank of Thailand tourist arrival figures sometimes differ?

The two organisations may display different figures depending on their publication dates. For June 2026, MOTS reports 2,105,383 arrivals, compared with approximately 1,841,550 in the BOT table consulted. The exact reason for this discrepancy is not explained in the MOTS spreadsheet. For monthly comparisons, this article uses a single dataset: the MOTS series published on 1 October 2026.

To compare with the previous year, you can also read our full review of Thailand tourism in 2025.