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Foreign arrivals to Thailand down nearly 10% year-on-year

For 2026, Thailand expects 34.9 million foreign visitors, a 4% increase, earning 1.63 trillion THB in revenue, up 8% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue, including domestic travel, is forecast at 2.79 trillion THB (88 billion USD).

Tourists visit Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Tourists visit Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) — Thailand’s tourism industry is bracing for a decline in foreign arrivals this year, with authorities projecting about 32 million international visitors by year-end, down 9.8% from 35.5 million in 2024.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes the drop to flooding in southern provinces during peak season and tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border that have dampened tourism sentiment in recent months.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that given the overall negative circumstances, the over 30 million foreign tourist arrivals is already an excellent figure.

According to Thai Government’s preliminary data, by December 7, Thailand recorded 30.3 million foreign tourists who spent 1.4 trillion THB (approximately 44 billion USD).

Malaysia led source markets with 4.2 million visitors, followed by China with 4.1 million, India 2.3 million, Russia 1.7 million and the Republic of Korea 1.4 million.

For 2026, TAT projects 34.9 million foreign visitors, a 4% increase, earning 1.63 trillion THB in revenue, up 8% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue, including domestic travel, is forecast at 2.79 trillion THB (88 billion USD).

The authority is spending 25 million THB on year-end countdown celebrations across the country, including events in Chiang Mai and Phayao expected to draw 150,000 people. Private sector venues including ICONSIAM, CentralWorld and One Bangkok are hosting additional festivities./.

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