Over 200,000 tourists visit Koh Tao from Jan-Sept
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Over 200,000 tourists visit Koh Tao from Jan-Sept

Many visitors arrive at Koh Tao pier in Surat Thani province on Saturday, boosting tourism and the economy.  Over the past nine months, Koh Tao received over 200,000 tourists, mostly foreigners. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)
Many visitors arrive at Koh Tao pier in Surat Thani province on Saturday, boosting tourism and the economy. Over the past nine months, Koh Tao received over 200,000 tourists, mostly foreigners. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)

SURAT THANI: More than 200,000 tourists, mostly foreigners, visited Koh Tao, a popular attraction in this southern province, over the past nine months.

Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto said on Saturday that a total of 200,247 tourists visited Koh Tao from January to September. Of the tourist arrivals, 90% were foreigners who spent a long weekend on this popular tourist island.

During long holiday periods in April, July and August, the number of tourists to the island reached 30,000 to 35,000 people a month. They were mostly groups of Thai visitors from Bangkok and other regions who made hotel bookings in advance, said the governor.

He cited a report on tourist arrivals from the tourist assistance centre on Koh Tao.

On Thursday, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bangkok could help Thailand secure 12 million international tourists this year.

Mr Phiphat said 1.5 million Chinese travellers would visit Thailand in December, if Mr Xi allows outbound tourism to resume that month.

Mr Xi confirmed he would attend the Apec summit on Nov 18-19, according to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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