Thailand becomes China's second-biggest tourist destination BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The number of Chinese visitors to Thailand in the first nine months of 2013 more than doubled year on year, making it the second-biggest tourist destination country for Chinese, latest data has showed. Over 3.24 million journeys were made from China to Thailand, up 107.7 percent year on year, Xinhua learned on Sunday. In Jan.-March, a period containing China's Spring Festival holiday, the number of Chinese visitors to Thailand was 93 percent more than in the same period of 2012. Experts predicted the figure will surpass four million by the end of this year. "If the two countries can simplify visa procedures in the near future, we will see another surge in tourism," said Shao Qiwei, director of the China National Tourism Administration. Chinese tourists are choosing Thailand because of its low prices, proximity to China, easy visa procedure and more airline choices, added Guo Dongjie, vice president of Ctrip, China's biggest online tour operator. Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand Buffalo racing held in Thailand Thailand-China visa waiver needs more time: minister BANGKOK, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The much-anticipated reciprocal tourist-visa waiver between China and Thailand is unlikely to materialize anytime soon despite the wishes of tourism-business operators in both countries, a Thai minister said on Friday. At a press conference for Thai media on the sidelines of the 15th China International Travel Mart (CITM) held here, Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said the kingdom would need some time to strengthen security measures and develop infrastructure to serve the jump in visitor numbers that a waiver would bring.