The number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand has risen by 4 percent during the first four months this year, with most new arrivals coming from Europe, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Phornsiri Manoharn said Thursday.

Phornsiri was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying that about four million foreign tourists visited Thailand between January and April, marking a 4 percent increase from the corresponding period last year, while a total of 14.8 million international visitors are expected to come throughout this year.

Increasing numbers of tourists had come from Europe, while the number of arrivals from China and Singapore had dropped, Phornsiri said.

TAT plans to maintain Thailand as a major attraction for foreign tourists, especially to those from the Middle East, Africa and eastern Europe, during the low or rainy season, which normally lasts for four months, she said.

For that reason, certain provinces which had before now been lesser known to overseas visitors will be promoted as new destinations, such as Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phornsiri Manoharn added.

Source: Xinhua