On Wednesday at 11:24 AM (Bangkok time), the share price of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (SET: AOT) rose by 0.44% or THB 0.25 to THB 56.50, with a trading value of THB 762.67 million.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (SET: THAI) gained 4.41% or THB 0.30 to THB 7.10, with a trading value of THB 984.19 million.
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited (SET: BA) surged by 1.12% or THB 0.20 to THB 18.10, with a trading value of THB 71.58 million.
Asia Aviation Public Company Limited (SET: AAV) increased by 0.75% or THB 0.01 to THB 1.34, with a trading value of THB 131.27 million.
Ms. Paweena Jariyathitipong, President of AOT, revealed that during the Chinese New Year festival in 2026, from February 13-22, AOT has projected air traffic volume at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Total flights are expected at 11,374, divided into 8,546 international flights, averaging 855 flights per day, and 2,828 domestic flights, averaging 283 flights per day—an overall increase of 4.3% from the same period last year.
Passenger numbers are expected to be around 1,971,050, consisting of 1,620,957 international passengers and 350,093 domestic passengers, or an average of 197,105 passengers per day, which is an increase of 0.2%.
For flight routes from China, the number of passengers is projected at approximately 444,255, averaging 44,426 passengers per day, representing a 24.2% increase from the same period last year. Flights from China are projected at around 2,889, averaging 289 flights per day, an increase of 20.5%.
In addition, airlines have requested to operate a total of 362 extra and charter flights, separated into 123 domestic flights and 239 international flights, reflecting the continual recovery of air travel and the confidence of international tourists, especially from China.
DAOL Securities (Thailand) has reported a notable rise in international tourist arrivals in the latest week (February 9-15, 2026), with total tourist numbers increasing by 11% week-on-week (WoW), led by a record surge from China.
Data disclosed by the Minister of Tourism and Sports show that during this period, Thailand welcomed 882,556 foreign tourists, representing an 11% WoW and a 13% year-on-year (YoY) increase. This equates to a daily average of 113,854 international arrivals.
The main contributors to the tourist influx were:
- Malaysia: 83,882 visitors (+34% WoW, -14% YoY)
- China: 200,440 visitors (+32% WoW, +121% YoY)
- South Korea: 41,948 visitors (+24% WoW, -2% YoY)
Conversely, arrivals from:
- India declined to 48,078 (-5% WoW, +13% YoY), and
- Russia dropped to 56,190 (-1% WoW, -7% YoY).
DAOL attributed the uptick in arrivals, particularly from short-haul Asian markets, to the Chinese New Year holiday, for which Thailand remains a preferred destination. Notably, Chinese visitors crossed the 200,000 mark for the week, while combined tourists from Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore exceeded 100,000.
According to the Economics Tourism and Sports Division, total tourist arrivals between January 1 and February 15, 2026, reached 5,067,847—down 8% YoY.
The analyst views overall tourist numbers as positive, highlighting that Chinese arrivals surpassed previous weekly records since reporting began in September 2023. Chinese tourist numbers have risen for six consecutive weeks, reaching the 200,000 milestone for the first time, compared to the 2025 peak of around 179,000 per week.
Year-on-year, Chinese arrivals soared by 121%, up sharply from a 32% YoY gain the prior week. DAOL Securities expects sustained recovery throughout February 2026 as the Chinese New Year falls on February 17, later than in 2025 (January 29).
The brokerage anticipates that the number of Chinese visitors this festive season will exceed last year, as more travelers shift from Japan to South Korea and ASEAN destinations, spurred by multiple events and successful marketing by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Looking ahead, DAOL predicts further WoW increases in foreign arrivals, driven by Thailand’s high season. Companies most poised to benefit from the Chinese tourism surge include ERW, CENTEL, MINT, and SHR, in order of exposure to Chinese clientele.
The firm maintains its 2026 tourist arrivals forecast at 34.5 million (+5% YoY), up from 33 million in 2025 (-7% YoY). Chinese tourist arrivals are projected at 5 million (+12% YoY), improving on 4.5 million last year (-34% YoY).
DAOL Securities gives an ‘Overweight’ stance for the Thai tourism sector, with the top-pick stocks including CENTEL and ERW.
CENTEL (Buy, Target 40.00 baht) is expected to post stand-out YoY and QoQ profit growth in 4Q25 and 1Q26—the latter benefiting from Thailand and Maldives’ peak travel season, with RevPAR expected to grow 10-15% YoY. Same-store sales growth (SSSG) is anticipated to turn positive at +3% YoY in January 2026, rebounding from -3% YoY in 4Q25.
ERW (Buy, Target 2.90 baht) is also favored given its robust Hop Inn performance and stringent cost controls, supporting potential profit and price target upgrades. ERW benefits most from Chinese tourists, who now make up 13% of its clientele.
