Over 900,000 foreign tourists came to Thailand the first 15 days of this year with the five top source markets being Russia, Malaysia, South Korea, India and Laos. Thai Newsroom

Over 900,000 foreign tourists came to Thailand during Jan. 1-15: TAT

January 19, 2023  TNR Staff

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) said altogether 913,013 foreign tourists came to the country the first 15 days of 2023 with Russians topping the list followed by Malaysians, South Koreans, Indians and Laotians, Matichon newspaper said today (Jan. 19).

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn revealed that during Jan. 1-15 there were 99,593 Russians arrivals followed by 89,461 Malaysians, 76,057 South Koreans, 47,471 Indians and 41,863 Laotians. Just on Jan. 14 altogether 58,528 foreign tourists arrived.

"In terms of incoming foreign tourists, it was found that Chinese nationals ranked tenth totalling 28,643. This in line with expectation that the Chinese market will gradually improve in 2023," he said,

The top four countries from where over one million tourists are expected to come to Thailand this year are China with 5 million arrivals, Malaysia 4 million, India 2 million and South Korea with 1.1-1.2 million.

TAT has set a target to attract 25 million foreign tourists this year with the domestic "Thai Tiew Thai" campaign expected to draw 250 million tourists/trips, Yuthasak said, adding that this year's tourism revenue is expected to climb to 2.38 trillion baht, or 80% of what was generated in 2019 before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.

TAT is now collecting data for submission to the cabinet in requesting for extension of tourist visa-on-arrival from 30 to 45 days till the end of this year.