China remained the top source market for tourists with 3.07 million, followed by Malaysia with 2.3 million, India with 1.3 million, Russia with 1.1 million and South Korea with 679,000, the Tourism and Sports Ministry said.

Thailand's tourism industry has also been affected by a sharp reduction in airline capacity from India, one of its key source markets, Nation Thailand reported.

Seat availability on India–Thailand routes fell 28.6% year-on-year, compared with a 20.7% decline on India–Malaysia routes.

Safety concerns in Thailand have intensified following the deaths of two Russian tourists and three members of a Thai family in Chon Buri Province.

Tourists walk past clothing and souvenir stalls near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 20, 2026. Photo by AFP

Former convict Thana Kerdthong, 43, and Thongchai Srinil, 39, were arrested in Sa Kaeo Province last week and later escorted by police to the burial site of the Russian victims, who were allegedly murdered for their motorcycle, according to Bangkok Post.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul recently apologized to Russian visitors and ordered tighter security measures, saying the case had harmed Thailand's reputation and could affect confidence in Chonburi and Pattaya, which he described as internationally recognized tourism destinations.

Thailand was the second most visited country in Southeast Asia with 32.9 million tourists last year, after Malaysia (42.2 million).