Thai airport staff held colourful celebrations on Thursday (January 23) to welcome the surge of Chinese visitors arriving to mark the country's New Year.

More than 2.7 million residents from the Communist Republic are expected to arrive in Thailand during the holiday period from January 19 until the end of the month.

Officials said they are expecting around 209,000 visitors a day - a 4 percent increase on the same period last year.

Scanners have also been installed at the airport to identify anyone carrying the dreaded coronavirus which originated in Wuhan.

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Luna New Year, marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar.

Many locals travel abroad - raising fears that the holiday period could worsen the spread of the virus.