Thailand logs 18.5 million foreign tourists Jan‑July, $27 bn revenue

Thailand received more than 18.5 million foreign tourists in the first seven months of the year, generating revenue of 896 billion baht (about $27 billion). The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the five biggest source markets were China (≈3.08 million), Malaysia (2.37 million), India (≈1.38 million), Russia (1.1 million) and South Korea (≈680 thousand). Overall arrivals fell 3.19 % compared with the same period last year.

In the week of 26 July‑1 August, 567,312 visitors arrived, a 2.92 % drop from the previous week, averaging 81,045 arrivals per day. Short‑haul arrivals fell 4.34 % inter‑weekly, while long‑haul arrivals slipped 0.31 %. The ministry linked the short‑haul decline to ongoing instability in Thailand’s southern border provinces and a sharp reduction in India‑Thailand flight capacity (down 28.6 % year‑on‑year). Long‑haul markets, especially Western Europe, continued to recover, helped by new direct routes such as Dubai‑Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Amsterdam‑Bangkok. South Korean visitor numbers rose 19.85 % inter‑weekly to 25,778, moving South Korea up to the fourth‑largest weekly source market. The ministry expects international arrivals to rebound later in the year.