Tourism
Thai Outbound Tourism Hits Record High as China Becomes Top Destination
A new report from Bnomics reveals that Thai outbound travel reached a record 13.06 million trips last year, with China emerging as the most popular destination.
According to data released on September 23, 2026, by the Bnomics research team at Bangkok Bank, Thai citizens set a new record for international travel, with 13.06 million outbound trips recorded last year. This represents an 11.4% increase, generating approximately 559 billion baht in total spending.
China has officially become the top destination for Thai travelers, attracting 3.06 million visitors who spent over 120 billion baht. Analysts attribute this surge to the permanent visa-free policy, which has simplified travel procedures, alongside China's improved infrastructure and perceived value for money. Malaysia followed as the second most popular destination, drawing 1.72 million Thai tourists due to its geographical proximity and convenient land transport options.
Conversely, South Korea has seen a significant decline in popularity among Thai travelers, dropping to the 13th position. Reports suggest this shift is largely due to stricter immigration screening processes, which have created uncertainty for tourists regarding their entry status.
For travelers and residents, these statistics highlight shifting regional travel trends influenced by visa policies and border entry experiences. While the data confirms current travel preferences, it remains to be seen how future immigration policies in other nations might further influence these rankings or if the current growth in outbound tourism will be sustained in the coming year.