Thailand's near-distance tourists drop 4.7% last week

Khaosod•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand saw a decline in total international tourists last week, with a notable drop in visitors from China and Japan.

•International tourist arrivals for the current week totaled 556,400, a 9.18% decrease from the previous week.
•Near-distance market tourists decreased by 4.70% to 384,778 people.
•Cumulative international tourists from January 1 to August 22, 2026, totaled 20,316,055 people.
•Cumulative revenue from international tourists from January 1 to August 22, 2026, reached 984,320 million baht.

•Total international tourists entering Thailand this week numbered 556,400, which is 56,243 fewer people or a 9.18% decrease from the previous week.
•The top five tourist sources this week were China (110,271), Malaysia (62,845), India (37,307), Taiwan (25,348), and Japan (22,291).
•Chinese tourist numbers declined by 10.65% due to the end of the summer holiday period in China.
•Japanese tourist numbers decreased by 27.31% following the end of Mountain Day and the Obon festival.
•Taiwanese tourists increased by 7.95%, moving from 6th to 4th place, supported by increased flights such as EVA Air's 32 weekly flights from TPE to BKK.
•From January 1 to August 22, 2026, Thailand had 20.32 million cumulative foreign tourists, a 2.96% decrease compared to the same period last year.
•Future tourist numbers may slow down due to the end of summer holidays in several markets and news regarding unrest in the three southern border provinces of Thailand reported in Malaysian media.
•Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, revealed the preliminary assessment of tourist arrivals.

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Surasak Pancharoenworakul(สุรศักดิ์ พันธ์เจริญวรกุล)

Minister of Tourism and Sports who revealed the preliminary assessment of tourist arrivals.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports(กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา)ℹ️

The government ministry overseeing tourism and sports.

EVA Airℹ️

An airline operating up to 32 flights per week on the TPE-BKK route.

Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The destination country for the international tourists mentioned.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The top source of cumulative and weekly tourists to Thailand.

Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

A tourist source market that saw a decline after Mountain Day and Obon.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

A tourist source market where numbers increased due to holidays like Melaka Governor’s Day and Maulidur Rasul.

Taiwan(ไต้หวัน)ℹ️

A tourist source market that increased in rank to 4th place.

India(อินเดีย)ℹ️

One of the top five source markets for tourists this week.

Russia(รัสเซีย)ℹ️

The fourth largest cumulative tourist source for Thailand.

South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️

The fifth largest cumulative tourist source for Thailand.