BANGKOK – Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals fell by 7.59 percent year-on-year during the period from January 1 to February 15, totaling approximately 5.07 million visitors, the Tourism Ministry reported on Tuesday.

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China remained the largest source market with 770,427 arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 461,742, according to the ministry’s statement.

Despite the decline in the early months, Thailand’s state planning agency maintains its forecast that foreign visitor numbers will rise to 35 million for the full year.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reveals foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand have surged to over 130,000 per day. #ThailandTourism #ChineseTourism #ThailandNews #TheNationhttps://t.co/BYeb7RnOJc

— Thenationthailand (@Thenationth) February 17, 2026

Last year, Thailand welcomed approximately 33 million foreign tourists, a significant increase from the pandemic years but still below the pre-pandemic record of nearly 40 million visitors recorded in 2019.

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The ministry did not specify reasons for the decline in the statement, though the tourism sector has faced ongoing challenges including global economic conditions and increased competition from other destinations in the region.

-Thailand News (TN)