Tourism
Thailand Tourism Update: 19.15 Million Arrivals and New Domestic Stimulus Plans
Thailand reports 19.15 million foreign arrivals so far in 2026, with officials preparing a new 'Thai Travel Thai Plus' stimulus scheme to boost secondary city tourism.
According to data reported by Khaosod Online Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that Thailand welcomed 19.15 million foreign tourists between January 1 and August 8, 2026. This figure represents a 2.93% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, generating 927.697 billion baht in revenue. The top five source markets for this period were China (3.21 million), Malaysia (2.44 million), India (1.42 million), Russia (1.12 million), and South Korea (704,000).
Despite the year-to-date decline, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul noted that recent data from August 2–8 shows a recovery trend, with 636,769 foreign arrivals recorded during that week alone. To maintain this momentum, the Ministry is currently finalizing the 'Thai Travel Thai Plus' initiative. This program, which is expected to be managed through the 'Pao Tang' digital wallet application, aims to incentivize travel to secondary cities during the current green season.
For travelers and residents, this initiative may offer new opportunities for discounted or incentivized domestic travel in the coming months. However, specific details regarding the program's launch date, eligibility requirements, and the exact nature of the incentives remain to be confirmed. The Ministry is expected to provide further clarity on the 'Thai Travel Thai Plus' scheme next week.