Chinese are expected to top foreign visitors to coastal destinations in southern Thailand throughout this year.
Anoma Wongyai, head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Phuket Office, said on Tuesday the Chinese are speculated to account for the largest number of foreign visitors, followed by Nordic travelers, to the Thai coasts of Andaman Sea throughout this year.
In particular, Krabi is believed to be the most favorite among all southern spots, followed by Phuket and Pang-nga, for the Chinese tourists, according to the TAT official.
Each of the Chinese tourists was calculated to spend an average of 5,000 baht (about 138 U.S. dollars) daily during their stay which mostly lasts four to five days in those provinces on the shores of Andaman Sea.
An estimated 4 million foreign tourists reportedly visited Krabi, compared to more than 10 millions to Phuket, throughout last year.
However, the number of foreign visitors to Krabi, mostly from China, is expected to considerably increase throughout this year, according to the TAT.