Russian tourists in Thailand 2026: 1.27m in 9 months

In 2026, the number of Russian tourists visiting Thailand has almost returned to last year's level. That is good news for anyone planning to spend the winter in Pattaya or to rent out a condo there. From January to September, 1,270,703 tourists from Russia visited the country. The gap with last year has narrowed to 0.13%, and arrivals have grown every month since July.

Russian tourist arrivals in Thailand 2026: the nine-month figures

The gap with last year narrowed month by month:

• after seven months, the year-on-year difference was 1.51%

• after eight months, 1.3%

• after nine months, just 0.13%

In September, Thailand welcomed 81,744 tourists from Russia, 6.29% more than a year earlier (there were 76,907 visits in September 2025). This is the third month of growth in a row.

More Russian-speaking visitors are also arriving from other countries. Over the nine months, there were 135,402 trips from Kazakhstan (up 12.74%), 49,759 from Uzbekistan (up 30.93%) and 22,211 from Belarus (up 3.91%). Turkmenistan (up 39.05%) and Tajikistan (up 31.18%) are growing fastest. For Pattaya, this means the Russian-speaking community, services in Russian and demand for familiar types of housing are here to stay.

Thailand vs Vietnam: which is ahead

Vietnam has grown noticeably: in the first eight months of 2026 it received more than 1 million Russian tourists, 165.7% more than a year earlier. The gap with Thailand has narrowed, but Thailand is still the top South-East Asian destination for Russians. We have looked in detail at why Pattaya beats other Asian destinations for buying property: well-developed infrastructure, clear rules on condo ownership for foreigners and a large rental market.

Winter season 2026-2027: what tour operators expect

The high season gets fully under way in November, and tour sales for it are running 20-30% ahead of last year. Pattaya is among the most popular destinations, along with Phuket, Khao Lak, Samui, Koh Chang and Krabi.

Tour operators also note that:

• Russians are increasingly choosing higher-end accommodation

• interest in wellness, active and educational holidays is growing

• for the season, charters by AZUR air and Nordwind have been announced, along with scheduled Aeroflot and S7 flights, flights by the new airline Siam Wings and connections via foreign carriers

For more on flights this winter, read our article on winter charter flights to Thailand 2026/2027.

What this means for tenants and buyers

The growing number of tourists supports demand for condos in the high season. Tenants should arrange their accommodation early: the best options near the sea for December and January go first. For owners and investors, steady tourist numbers mean more predictable occupancy, especially for a condo in a popular district with good management.

If you are planning a winter in Pattaya, see the current options in our Pattaya rentals section. If you are thinking of buying to live in or to rent out, our specialists will find a condo to suit your budget and goals and answer your questions about the purchase.