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Thailand welcomes over 16.21 million foreign visitors in first half of 2026

Thailand welcomed more than 16.21 million foreign tourists since the beginning of 2026, generating 782.57 billion THB (24 billion USD) in tourism revenue.

Foreign tourists in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Foreign tourists in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand welcomed more than 16.21 million foreign tourists since the beginning of 2026, generating 782.57 billion THB (24 billion USD) in tourism revenue, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on July 6.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the latest assessment showed Thailand had received 16,210,890 international arrivals during the January 1 – July 4 period, down 3.11% from the same period last year.

The ministry said the figures were still subject to further updates as it was awaiting data from the Immigration Bureau for part of the reporting period.

China remained the largest source of foreign tourists to Thailand, with 2,654,728 arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 2,109,956, India with 1,239,023, Russia with 1,022,483 and the Republic of Korea with 596,673.

The figures underline the continued importance of Asian short-haul markets to Thailand’s tourism recovery, while long-haul visitors from Europe also remain an important source of spending and seasonal growth.

The ministry said foreign tourist spending had already generated 782.57 billion THB, reinforcing tourism’s role as a key driver of the Thai economy./.

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