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World

Teflon tourism: Thais forecast record visitors despite deadly bombing, reputation for strife

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Asian tourists takes a "selfie" in front of the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand’s economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

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    Asian tourists takes a picture in front of the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand’s economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

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    A Chinese tourist lights an incense stick to make an offering for Phra Phrom, the Thai interpretation of the Hindu god Brahma, at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand’s economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

BANGKOK – A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand's economically crucial tourism industry but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell.

The bounce back reinforces the teflon reputation of Thai tourism which employs millions and has thrived over the past decade despite two coups, episodes of deadly street fighting, airport occupations and natural disasters.

Thailand's tourism council is forecasting a record 30.3 million visitors this year, an increase of 22 percent from last year. Chinese tourists are expected to total 8.1 million, rising by three quarters from 2014.

Thailand was aiming for 28.8 million tourists this year.