Visitors to Thailand are growing, coming mainly from China

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) -- More than 20 million foreigners visited Thailand and spent more than 1.5 trillion baht from January to July this year, the Tourism and Sports Ministry reported. Pongpanu Svetarundra, permanent secretary of the ministry, said Thailand welcomed 3.08 million visitors in July. Most of them, 2.13 million, came from East Asia, followed by people from Europe, South Asia, America, the Middle East, Oceania and Africa. The number of visitors rose by 4.81% year on year. Most visitors came from China, Malaysia, Laos, South Korea, India, Japan and Vietnam. National income generated from visitors amounted to 156 billion baht, increasing by 6.16% year on year. Most income resulted from the arrival of Chinese visitors. Mr Pongpanu said that from January to July, 20.4 million people visited Thailand. Their number went up by 4.47% year on year. Their spending was estimated at 1.03 trillion baht, rising by 6.07%. Thai tourists made 12.47 million trips in June, up 4.3%, and spent 71.1 billion baht. From January to June they made 71.38 million trips and spent 453 billion baht, rising by 3.27% and 6.65% respectively year on year. From January to July the tourism industry generated national income worth 1.49 trillion baht, rising by 6.25%. The figure comprised 1.033 trillion baht from foreign tourists and 0.453 trillion baht from Thai tourists. (TNA)