Chinese tourists remain the largest group among foreigners visiting Thailand, with their number estimated to reach 3 million this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Chinese-language newspaper in Thailand, World Journal reported.

Thailand has already received 1.5 million Chinese tourists during the first four months of 2013, a 90% year-on year increase.

Asian tourists increased 8% during the same period, while the overall increase of foreign tourists to the country is 15%. The number of Chinese is the largest grouping in either calculation.

According to the Authority, the country’s stable political and social environment, developing economy, beautiful scenery, and its culture and customs, have all contributed to the increasing numbers. The high rankings of Thailand’s seascape in global tourism websites has also helped to boost its tourism industry.

There will be around 2.5 million foreign tourists in Thailand by the end of 2013. The number last year was 2.2 million.