Mr Chumpol revealed that the number of tourists still continues to increase despite the mass rally being staged in Bangkok as most of them are heading to other provinces. Over 1.6 million foreigners visited Thailand in February alone.

The minister expected this year’s figure to meet the target of 15.5 million, generating a total income of 600 billion THB for the country.

The protest of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has been staged in the capital of Bangkok for 18 consecutive days amid mounting public concern that it might damage tourism and the economy.