Thailand Still Attracts Chinese tourists Despite Political Protests

BANGKOK, November 17 (TNA) - Despite the current anti-government protests in Thailand, Chinese tourists still prefer to visit the kingdom, said Kasian Watanachowapisut, president of Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA). Mr. Kasian said that political rally does not deter Chinese tourists wishing to visit Thailand and they would stay away from demonstration sites during their stay in the country. Chinese tourists prefer to visit Thailand during the annual Songkran festival which falls in April because they could join in the splashing water festival which lasts several day, Mr. Kasian said. The Loy Krathong annual festival which takes place Sunday night is not popular among the Chinese tourists because the celebrations take place only one night. The number of Chinese tourists travelling to Thailand rises steadily, according to official statistics. More than 2.8 million Chinese visited the kingdom in 2012 while almost 4 million tourists have already visited the country since the beginning of 2013 up till now. Chinese visitors travelling to Thailand may decline in future after the Beijing government issued a law on October 1, causing an increase in group tour fares while tour operators still need to study the law in details. (TNA)