Bangkok, Sep 15 (IANS): More than eight million tourists are expected to visit Thailand during this year's fourth quarter, beginning next month, a tourism official said on Tuesday.
Tourism Council of Thailand President Itthirit Kinglek said some 8.1 million tourists will visit varied spots such as Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and the Thai capital from next month until the end of this year, Xinhua news agency reported.
The projected number of tourists for this year's fourth quarter will account for a 9 percent increase from the corresponding period last year, Itthirit said.
He said an estimated $11.7 billions in earnings for tourist industry are expected during this year's final quarter, which usually marks the Thai tourism's high season.
The projected number of the tourists throughout this year will mark a 22 percent rise from last year.