A thermoplastic resin expanded bead and a molded article composed of the thermoplastic resin expanded beads are provided. The expanded bead includes a foam layer containing a thermoplastic resin. The expanded bead has a columnar shape, and has two or more and eight or less through-holes penetrating in the axial direction thereof. A ratio Ct/A of a total cross-sectional area Ct of the through-holes to a cross-sectional area A of the expanded bead in a cut surface obtained by cutting the expanded bead along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction at the center in the axial direction is 0.02 or more and 0.15 or less.