Phuket visitors bring in nearly B400bn

Phuket generated nearly 400 billion baht in tourism revenue in the first nine months of 2026 despite a slight decline in visitor numbers, as four international airlines prepare to launch direct routes ahead of the high season.

Siriwan Siharat, director of the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the island welcomed 10.25 million visitors between January and September, down 1.6% year on year. Tourism revenue fell about 1% to 399.96 billion baht.

Thai visitors increased 1% to 2.65 million, generating 30.5 billion baht, up 1.8%. Foreign arrivals declined 2.4% to 7.6 million, while revenue slipped 1.2% to 369.49 billion baht. Russia remained Phuket's largest overseas market, while Chinese arrivals rose 10.75% to 501,045.