More tourist arrivals in Thai South expected during China's National Day

BANGKOK, September 6 (TNA) - The number of tourist arrivals in the Thai South, especially those in Hat Yai of Songkhla Province, is expected to increase by 5-10 per cent during China's upcoming long holidays to celebrate the "National Day, Golden Week". Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura voiced the positive assessment on Tuesday, noting that the number of international tourist arrivals in the Thai South, a large number of whom are Chinese nationals, has already risen by 20-30 per cent so far. Kobkarn told journalists that the number of charter flights carrying international travelers to the Thai South has also been normal. China's National Day falls on every October 1, marking the establishment of the People's Republic of China. It is also a public holiday in Hong Kong and Macau. There are normally more holidays yearly up to October 7, called the Golden Week for Chinese people. For the total number of international tourist arrivals in Thailand this year, the minister said that its targeted figure has been maintained at 32-33 million, expected to earn the country's up to 2.4 trillion baht tourism-related revenues. The minister made the remarks after recent bombing attacks in Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces in the Thai Deep South, pointing out that both Thai and foreign tourists have been aware of the situation in the Thai Far South, where violent incidents have happened only from time to time for 12 years. (TNA)