Thailand is expected to lose some 50,000 Chinese tourists during China's Golden Week period as a result of incidents that happened over the past three months.

Vichit Prakobkosol, president of the Association of Thai Travels Agents (Atta), predicted the country may lose tourism revenue of 2.1 billion baht from China, calculating from average spending of 6,000 baht per head per day or 42,000 baht for a seven-day trip.

Atta earlier warned that the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand will plunge by at least 10% during the Chinese National Holiday known as Golden Week, which started on Monday and will run until October 7.

The tourist boat tragedy in Phuket in July, followed by a dengue fever epidemic in Thailand and an airport official attacking a Chinese tourist at Don Mueang airport last week are blights on Thailand's tourism image, Mr Vichit said.

He said the main factor for the dip is surely the boat accident in Phuket that prompted a number of tour cancellations while airlines and charter operators have removed Thailand from their seasonal trip schedules.

Mr Vichit said many Chinese tourists opted to visit other countries such as Japan and South Korea during the past three months as the Chinese government issued travel advisories and asked tourists to avoid Phuket and other islands in Thailand. 

This year, it is expected that about 7 million Chinese will travel abroad during Golden Week, up from 6 million last year, thanks to an improving economy. China Tourism Academy reported that 71.3 million Chinese made overseas trips during the first half of this year, representing a 15% year-on-year increase. The most popular destinations for Chinese tourists in the first half this year were Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, the US and Cambodia respectively.

Now Japan has surpassed Thailand, drawing greater numbers this season. However, Mr Vichit is confident that Thailand will reclaim Chinese tourists and return to being the top destination for the Chinese market for the rest of this year.

Chaiya Rapuepon, president of Andaman Tourism Business Association, said hotels and travel companies in the Andaman Sea are seeing fewer guests from China.

He said more than 9.8 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2017. Many of them flocked into Thailand during Chinese New Year and Golden Week.

"We urge the government to improve safety and security in order to restore confidence from China. If tourists see clear preventive plans, they will return to the country in the remaining months of this year," Mr Chaiya said.

The Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter reported a 10% plunge in occupancy for hotels in Phuket, and an expected fall of 20% during September-October.

In an effort to woo Chinese tourists, Mr Vichit and Atta executives met on Monday with Weerasak Kowsurat, the tourism and sports minister, calling on the government to waive the visa fee and offer multiple-entry visas specifically for Chinese tourists for a six-month period.

"If the government agrees to this proposal, more Chinese will visit Thailand, not only this year but also for Chinese New Year in 2019. Thailand has been a favourite destination for Chinese tourists for years thanks to the culture, attractions and food," Mr Vichit said.

An earlier forecast of the Tourism and Sports Ministry predicted arrivals from China this year would increase from 9.8 million in 2017 to 10.9 million and to more than 11 million in 2019. In 2017, the China market contributed revenue of 561 billion baht.