Foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand reached 22,183,678 between 1 January and 19 September 2026, marking a 3.67 per cent decline compared to the same period last year.
Official figures released by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul showed foreign tourism revenue reached 1.08 trillion baht across the period. China remains the largest source market with 3.73 million visitors, followed by Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea. For British citizens living in Thailand or planning a move, these figures highlight shifting visitor patterns that influence domestic transit costs, rental availability, and immigration office processing times.
Weekly Uptick Driven by Regional Travel
Weekly visitor numbers rebounded in mid-September. Between 13 and 19 September, Thailand registered 464,200 foreign arrivals, representing a week-on-week increase of 5.72 per cent and an average of 66,314 arrivals per day.
This growth stemmed almost entirely from short-haul markets. Regional arrivals climbed by 8.59 per cent to 324,816, whereas long-haul arrivals fell slightly by 0.41 per cent to 139,384. A 29.12 per cent rise in Malaysian arrivals followed the Malaysia Day public holiday, bringing 69,255 visitors. Japanese arrivals jumped by 55.36 per cent to 30,494 ahead of the Silver Week public holidays. In contrast, arrivals from India dropped by 13.61 per cent over the same period.
Upcoming Influx from Regional Holidays
British residents should anticipate heavier domestic travel demand across late September and early October. South Korea's Chuseok holiday runs from 24 to 26 September. China's Mid-Autumn Festival takes place from 25 to 27 September, immediately followed by the National Day Golden Week holiday from 1 to 7 October.
These consecutive holidays will offset the post-holiday dip in Malaysian arrivals. Expats travelling domestically will encounter tighter seat availability on regional routes between Bangkok and major provincial hubs. Road traffic around central Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai is likely to increase. Those needing to renew visas or complete 90-day reporting should plan visits to immigration offices carefully to avoid the administrative congestion associated with peak holiday weeks.
Long-Haul Lull and Russian Demand
Western visitor numbers remain subdued during the late-monsoon shoulder period. Most long-haul travel markets are currently experiencing a seasonal lull ahead of the traditional high season starting in November.
Russia proved an exception. Arrivals from Russia rose 7.59 per cent week on week to 19,531, supported by early-season package tours. This trend directly affects British residents based in Phuket, Koh Samui, and Pattaya, where the Russian market forms a substantial segment of seasonal residents. An early influx typically accelerates property rental increases in coastal areas. Condominium lease renewals often become more competitive from late September as landlords turn their attention toward short-term holiday lets.
Implications for British Residents
The 3.67 per cent annual decline in overall tourist entries indicates that Thailand's broader tourism intake remains uneven. Local businesses, particularly those operating outside core commercial areas, continue to face reduced spending compared to previous years.
This environment presents mixed conditions for British expatriates. Long-term tenants may find greater leverage when negotiating lease renewals outside prime resort areas. Conversely, the concentration of short-haul, holiday-specific arrivals means pricing for regional flights, interprovincial rail travel, and hotel accommodation will fluctuate sharply over the coming fortnight. British nationals moving to Thailand this autumn should secure their initial accommodation and domestic transport connections before Golden Week travellers arrive in October.
Source: nationthailand.com
Reviewed by the Thailand Guide Editorial Team • Last reviewed: 22 September 2026
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