Thailand tourist arrivals jumped 7.31% in the final week of October 2026, driven by long-haul markets. Despite this momentum, the cumulative total for the first ten months remains 4.59% below last year's figures.
Weekly surge driven by long-haul demand
The country recorded 538,661 foreign visitors between October 25 and 31, 2026. This figure represents a 7.31% increase compared to the previous week, averaging 76,952 arrivals per day. The growth marks the fifth consecutive week of improvement as the winter holiday season approaches. Long-haul markets led the recovery, with arrivals rising 13.60% to 227,153 visitors. Russian tourists showed the strongest momentum, up 27.19%, while visitors from the United States grew by 5.42%. Short-haul markets grew more slowly, rising 3.14% to 311,508 visitors as regional travel patterns normalized.
Cumulative totals still below 2025 levels
Despite recent weekly gains, the overall picture for 2026 remains challenging. From January 1 to October 31, Thailand welcomed 25,464,306 foreign visitors. This total is down 4.59% from the same period in 2025. Foreign tourist spending during this ten-month period generated approximately 1.24 trillion baht in revenue. China remains the largest source market, accounting for 4,244,376 visitors. Malaysia followed with 3,226,484 arrivals, and India ranked third with 1,924,417 visitors. Indian arrivals dipped by 14.98% in the final week of October following the conclusion of the Navaratri festivals.
Outlook and market risks
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul expects long-haul arrivals to continue increasing as the winter holiday season approaches. He noted that travelers from Europe and the Americas traditionally favor Thailand during this period. However, the ministry identified potential risks, including protests in Europe and reduced flight services on certain routes, particularly from Russia, which could affect visitor numbers in the coming weeks.
