Chinese tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 6, 2014. [Photo/IC]

BANGKOK - As many as 7.4 million Chinese are expected to visit Thailand throughout this year, confirmed a high-level tourism official on Monday.

According to Srisuda Wanapinyosak, a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, up to 7.4 million Chinese will visit varied Thai tourist spots throughout this year.

That compared to some 6 million Chinese earlier forecast by the agency to visit Thailand throughout this year.

Of that total, nearly 2 million Chinese are expected to come over during this year's fourth quarter, beginning in October, which usually marks high season for Thai tourism.

Major destinations for the Chinese tourists include Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and the Thai capital.

The deputy TAT governor added that the number of Chinese visitors to this country will rise up to 7.9 million throughout next year.