Chinese travelers fill up Thai tourism's low season: Official

BANGKOK - Chinese tourists to Thailand are filling up the country's low season which usually lasts from June to October, said a senior Thai official on Wednesday.

According to Tourism & Sports Ministry undersecretary Areepong Pucha-um, an influx of Chinese visitors to Thailand currently continued on to fill the gap which may have otherwise prevailed during low season throughout the country.

The Thai tourism's high season usually lasts from November to May.

"Given the continued influx of Chinese tourists, there is practically no longer low season in Thailand. Among the Chinese are a number of high-end visitors, more of whom are yet to be attracted to this country," said Areepong.

As chairman of Thai Airways International, Areepong said that the national flag carrier will bring in more visitors from China, particularly those in the high-end and niche markets.

An estimated 6 million Chinese are expected to visit Thailand throughout this year, compared to some 4.6 million last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The Chinese, including those who had joined incentive tourism campaigns, accounted for about 20 percent of all foreign visitors to this country, which totaled 24.6 million, last year.

According to the Tourism & Sports undersecretary, an estimated 16 million foreigners have traveled to Thailand so far this year and over 28 million are expected to visit Thailand throughout this year.

Meanwhile, U-tapao international airport plans to accommodate as many as 3 million passengers in a year beginning next year, said U-tapao airport director Vasinsan Chantavarin.

The eastern seaboard airport, which can provide services for an estimated 870,000 passengers in a year, currently accommodates chartered flights between Thailand and China, besides domestic and regional flights, he said.

Given a second terminal and other improvements underway, U-tapao airport expects to accommodate up to 1 million passengers in a year, beginning in 2017, he forecast.

About 140,000 passengers have used U-tapao airport so far this year.