Thailand has started 2026 with a busy tourism season. In the first 11 days of January alone, the country welcomed more than 1.1 million international visitors, keeping its place as one of the world’s favourite holiday destinations. For hotels and packages in Thailand and across Asia, check current deals on Trip.com
Between 5 and 11 January, Thailand saw 745,158 foreign arrivals, averaging about 106,451 visitors per day. That was a 2.78% increase on the previous week, a sign that demand for travel in Asia is still strong despite economic uncertainty in many parts of the world.
Crystal-clear waters at the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
During these first days of the year, three countries stood out as Thailand’s main source markets: Malaysia, China, and Russia.
Malaysia led the way with 117,039 visitors. The short distance between the two countries, along with plenty of low‑cost flights and busy land borders, makes Thailand an easy and familiar escape for Malaysian travellers. Weekend trips for food, shopping, and quick beach breaks are especially popular.
You’ll find plenty of budget-friendly options between Malaysia and Thailand, with airlines like AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Firefly offering frequent low-cost flights on popular routes such as Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur–Phuket, and Penang–Phuket.
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Asian carriers connecting key destinations across the region
Chinese visitors formed the second‑largest group, with 112,204 arrivals from 1 to 11 January 2026. While the numbers have not yet reached pre‑pandemic highs, they show that China is still one of the most important markets for Thailand and for tourism across Asia.
Many Chinese travellers continue to choose classic destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya, where tour services and Mandarin support are widely available.
On China–Thailand routes, travellers can choose from a mix of full‑service and budget airlines such as China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Spring Airlines, and several other Chinese carriers connecting major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu with Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
Russia ranked third, with 109,600 visitors in the same 11‑day period. A large share of these travellers head straight for Thailand’s islands and coastal resorts, especially during the cold northern winter. For Russian tourists, Thailand offers a reliable mix of warm weather, relaxed beach towns, and long‑stay options that are hard to resist at this time of year.