Chinese arrivals to Thailand rose 41.98% on the week before, to 133,946, in the week of 27 September to 3 October 2026, according to figures the Tourism and Sports Minister gave The Nation. Arrivals from all markets that week were 522,532, up 8.24%. Our Thailand team reads the figures in detail in its briefing on the Golden Week 2026 results. Here we look at what they mean for agents planning groups from any market.
What the Week Showed
- A peak, not a new level. The minister expects arrivals to ease after 3 October, as travel from China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia returns to normal after the holidays.
- The year is still behind. Arrivals from 1 January to 3 October were 23,452,895, down 3.88% on 2025. China is still the largest market, at 3,999,854.
- Floods and flight problems did not stop the trips. TAT's Beijing and Shanghai offices said Chinese tour operators confirmed that their customers kept their plans, and that most Chinese visitors fly Chinese airlines.
- Bangkok led the bookings. Tongcheng Travel ranked Bangkok first among destinations outside mainland China for the holiday.
Planning Groups Around the Peak
For groups from other markets, the first week of October is now a busy week in Bangkok and Phuket. Trip.com reported Chinese flight bookings to Phuket for the holiday up 78% on 2025. That is booking demand, not arrivals, but it shows where hotel rooms and guides were in demand. If your group can travel a week or two later, quote those dates first.
Do not build next year's plan on these figures. A week-on-week jump during a national holiday shows a peak. It does not show the normal level of demand.
What Visitors Chose
Grab Thailand reported rides to Song Wat up about tenfold in 2026, and to Khlong Bang Luang more than twelvefold. Bookings to Pak Khlong Talat, the flower market, nearly doubled. These are small, walkable neighbourhoods that visitors find through social media. A half-day walk with a local guide in one of them suits groups from any market, and works outside holiday weeks too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Chinese arrivals rise during Golden Week 2026?
By 41.98% on the week before, to 133,946, in the week of 27 September to 3 October 2026, according to the minister's figures reported by The Nation.
Is that a year-on-year rise?
No. It compares one week with the week before. Arrivals for the year to 3 October were still down 3.88% on 2025.
Should groups avoid the first week of October?
Not always, but expect more demand in Bangkok and Phuket. If the dates can move, the week or two after the holiday is easier to plan.
Where Explera Fits
We plan city stays and multi-stop programmes across our destinations: Thailand, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. Our Thailand team handles hotels, guides, vehicles and neighbourhood walks for groups in Bangkok and Phuket.
Write to b2b@explera.co.th or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera Thailand holds TAT licence No. 14/05119. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).
