Thailand Welcomes 26.9 Million Foreign Tourists by Early November, Yet Sees Decline From Last Year
Inbound visitor numbers hit 26.89 million from January 1 to November 2 2025, but arrivals fell over 7 % year-on-year
Thailand’s tourism sector recorded 26.89 million international visitors from January 1 to November 2 2025, according to official data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Despite the strong absolute number, this figure represents a 7.22 per cent decline compared with the same period in the previous year.
Malaysia remained the largest source market with 3.88 million visitors, closely followed by China at 3.80 million.
Other key markets included India with around 2.00 million visitors, Russia at 1.43 million, and South Korea at 1.28 million.
The decline has prompted the Ministry of Finance to revise its full-year forecast for foreign tourist arrivals downward to 33.5 million — well below the pre-pandemic high of nearly 40 million recorded in 2019. The drop reflects ongoing headwinds including weaker global demand, travel-cost inflation and heightened safety concerns, particularly among Chinese tourists.
Revenue estimates for the period have yet to be officially confirmed in the same update, though previous government reports had projected strong receipts.
The government continues to pursue measures such as visa-exemption rules, targeted market campaigns and infrastructure upgrades aimed at diversifying source markets and boosting off-season and regional travel.
While the 2025 performance falls short of the government’s early-year target of 40 million arrivals, the resilience of the sector — combined with ongoing policy support — provides a platform for recovery heading into 2026.
Despite the strong absolute number, this figure represents a 7.22 per cent decline compared with the same period in the previous year.
Malaysia remained the largest source market with 3.88 million visitors, closely followed by China at 3.80 million.
Other key markets included India with around 2.00 million visitors, Russia at 1.43 million, and South Korea at 1.28 million.
The decline has prompted the Ministry of Finance to revise its full-year forecast for foreign tourist arrivals downward to 33.5 million — well below the pre-pandemic high of nearly 40 million recorded in 2019. The drop reflects ongoing headwinds including weaker global demand, travel-cost inflation and heightened safety concerns, particularly among Chinese tourists.
Revenue estimates for the period have yet to be officially confirmed in the same update, though previous government reports had projected strong receipts.
The government continues to pursue measures such as visa-exemption rules, targeted market campaigns and infrastructure upgrades aimed at diversifying source markets and boosting off-season and regional travel.
While the 2025 performance falls short of the government’s early-year target of 40 million arrivals, the resilience of the sector — combined with ongoing policy support — provides a platform for recovery heading into 2026.
