More int'l tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2013

BANGKOK, December 13 (TNA) - The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports that the number of international visitors to Thailand stood at over 24.14 million during the first 11 months of this year, a 21.18 per cent year-on-year increase, earning the Kingdom increased tourism-related revenues by 21.70 per cent year-on-year. According to the ministry's official figures, the number of visitors to Thailand amounted to 811,475 from December 1-11, a 6.19 per cent increase from the corresponding period of last year. The number of international visitors landing at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport and Thailand's main International Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of the capital, however, dropped during the same period possibly due to concerns over political demonstrations in the city although their arrivals in Bangkok have recovered since December 11. As of December 10, 19 countries issued Level 3 of travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid demonstration venues in Thailand. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 3 Police Major General Prayad Boonsri, who oversees traffic in the Thai Northeast, called a meeting with police forces from eight lower northeastern provinces and other several other relevant agencies in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima Province to discuss and lay out preparations for facilitating people's travels during the forthcoming New Year-holiday celebrations. The meeting also resolved that more than 20,000 police officers will be deployed in the eight lower northeastern provinces to cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the annually-seasonal celebrations and to provide public safety, as 1,322 checkpoints will be set up.(TNA)