Thailand recorded a 7.08% decrease in international tourist arrivals between January 1 and September 14 compared to the same timeframe last year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism released on Tuesday. During this period, the country welcomed approximately 23 million overseas visitors.
Malaysia remained the leading source of tourists, contributing 3.28 million arrivals, closely followed by China with 3.23 million. Despite a slump in the number of Chinese visitors, Thailand saw solid gains from Western markets. Arrivals from Europe surged 15% and from America increased by 8.3% from January through August.
In August, Thailand’s state planning agency revised its forecast for annual foreign tourist arrivals downward to 33 million, a cut from the earlier projection of 37 million. This is well below the pre-pandemic record of nearly 40 million visitors achieved in 2019.
Foreign travellers generated 1.109 trillion baht in revenue for Thailand in the first eight months of the year, reflecting a 6.34% year-on-year decline, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports data.
