27,252,488 foreign tourists visited Thailand between January 1st and December 24th this year, meeting the 25-28 million foreign arrivals target.

People from Malaysia topped the list, with 4,439,480 arrivals, followed by 3,418,732 from China, 1,616,858 from South Korea, 1,587,090 from India and 1,428,985 Russians.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said that, from December 18th to 24th, 796,808 visitors arrived in Thailand, representing an increase of 16.6% from a week earlier.

For the coming year, he said the government plans to increase foreign arrivals by promoting tourism destinations in moreprovinces than those already favoured by visitors, in an attempt to make Thailand a year-round destination, with the aim of generating a trillion baht from domestic tourism and 2.5 trillion from foreign visitors.

Chai also said that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has confidence in the capabilities of tourism and tourism-related businesses to boost the sector.

Meanwhile, it is reported that holidaymakers, mostly Thais, flocked to Saphan Mon or Uttamanusorn Bridge in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi yesterday.

At 850 metres, the Mon Bridge is Thailand’s longest wooden bridge, spanning the Songkalai River. The bridge was conceived by Luangphor Uttama, the late abbot of Wat Wang Wiwekaram, a highly revered monk among Mon and Thai people.

For safety, only 400 people are allowed on the wooden bridge for 30 minutes at a time. From the bridge, there are fine views of both sides of the river.

There are about 2,000 hotel rooms and guest houses in Sangkhla Buri district, which can accommodate up to 10,000 people. All of them have been fully booked since November.

District officials estimate that tourism revenue during the New Year holiday period will reach about 100 million baht.