Thailand draws 13.4 million tourists; weekly arrivals rise 10.95%

Dhaka: Thailand welcomed 13,428,857 foreign tourists from January 1 to May 24, down 2.78% year-on-year, generating an estimated THB 653.986 billion in tourism revenue, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said China remained the largest source market, followed by Malaysia and India.

For the week of May 18–24, Thailand received 520,536 foreign tourists, up 51,363 visitors, or 10.95%, from the previous week — an average of 74,362 arrivals per day. The rebound was supported by extended holiday periods in the United States, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

Malaysia topped the weekly arrivals with 92,275 tourists, up 32.87% from the prior week. China followed with 85,317 tourists, down 1.25%. India came third with 55,033 tourists, up 10.07%, while Taiwan and the United States placed fourth and fifth with 17,318 and 16,937 tourists, respectively.

School holidays in Malaysia and India also stimulated family travel, contributing to the overall increase in visitor numbers. The Indian market crossed a notable milestone during the week, with cumulative arrivals surpassing one million tourists since the start of the year.

British Airways' expanded direct flights to Thailand through the summer season further aided recovery. The additional connectivity helped the airline maintain year-round operations, rather than suspending services mid-year as in previous years, drawing more travelers from the UK market.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects arrivals to climb in the coming week, citing the Eid al-Adha long holiday across the Middle East and parts of Asia, normalization of Thailand's energy situation, and the ongoing Trusted Thailand campaign aimed at reinforcing the country's image as a safe destination.