BANGKOK -- Nearly two million Chinese are expected to visit Thailand in the fourth quarter.

The Thai Farmers Bank's Research Center reported on Wednesday that an estimated 1.8 million Chinese will visit Thailand from October, which usually marks the beginning of the tourist high season, until the end of this year.

A large number of Chinese are expected to come as holidaymakers celebrating China's National Day in early October, according to the bank's report.

As many as six million Chinese have been expected to visit the Southeast Asian country throughout this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

That compared to some 4.3 million Chinese who came throughout last year.

Meanwhile, Thai travel agents plan to open road shows in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in November, said Adit Chairatananond, secretary general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.