Thailand chalked up another tourism record after welcoming its 39 millionth visitor of 2019 at the weekend.

Anna Pavlovskaya from Russia was showered with gifts and travel vouchers as ‘Thailand’s Luckiest Visitor’ at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Thai tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan expects the year-end total to be 39.8 million, based on the current average of 140,000 daily arrivals.

It will represent a 4% increase which is commendable considering the surging value of the Thai baht this year.

Tourism related spending will likely be up to THB1.96 trillion (US$65 billion).

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is targeting a modest increase in foreign visitors of 2.5% for 2020 to 40.8 million.