Bangkok, April 1 -- Thailand recorded a slight decline in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year, according to its Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

From January 1 to March 29, the country welcomed 9,174,586 foreign visitors, down 2.29% year-on-year.

The five largest source markets during the period were China with 1,468,333 visitors, followed by Malaysia (947,123), Russia (714,424), India (614,016) and the Republic of Korea (409,331).

Natreeya Taweewong, permanent secretary of the ministry, said travel demand softened during the week of March 23-29 as short-haul markets concluded the Eid al-Fitr holiday period while long-haul travel entered the end of the peak season.

However, she noted that demand from long-ha...