Thailand records rise in tourist arrivals in May 2026

Thailand received 2.35 million foreign tourist arrivals in May 2026, representing a 3.54 per cent year-on-year increase, according to official data released on Thursday. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said tourism revenue from foreign tourists reached 108 billion baht last month, up 12.77 per cent from the same period a year earlier. Malaysia, China, India, Russia and Singapore were the top five source markets for Thailand during the month. The Southeast Asian nation received a total of 14,515,978 foreign tourists from 1 January to 7 June this year, generating cumulative tourism revenue of 701.36 billion baht, according to the spokesperson. China topped the list with 2,386,714 arrivals, Ploytalay said, adding that a moderate increase in foreign tourist arrivals is expected this week as travel demand from key markets gradually normalises. “Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have driven significant increases in flight fares and transport costs generally, altering global travel patterns. More and more tourists are choosing not to travel long distances and are tightening control over travel spending,” the spokesperson said. Ploytalay said that in addition to relying on income from international tourism, the Thai government is also stepping up efforts to revitalise its domestic tourism sector by promoting convenient short-haul travel while overhauling the tourism sector to align with new global trends prioritising sustainability, energy conservation, and high-quality travel experiences.