Speedboat queues build up ahead of Full Moon Party on Friday
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
Hundreds of foreign tourists were seen queuing on Wednesday for speedboat rides from Koh Samui to Ko Pha-ngan, where the Full Moon Party will be held this week.
Koh Samui’s main Ban Na Thon pier has been crowded in recent days as holidaying foreigners flood back to the famed party island in Surat Thani province.
This Friday’s Full Moon Party is expected to draw thousands of tourists for a night of dancing, drinking and exotic shows on Haad Rin beach.
But Ko Pha-ngan also has plenty of daytime attractions for tourists to explore, including beautiful beaches, colourful coral reefs, mountains, waterfalls and the local lifestyle of coconut farmers and fishermen.
Kitti “Steven” Tharaphutthi, general manager of Samui’s Lomprayah Speedboat, said foreign tourists have been pouring into Samui, Pha-ngan and nearby Koh Tao since Christmas.
Although some had returned to their home countries after New Year, many are sticking around to attend the Full Moon Party on Friday, he said.
The company has responded to demand by increasing the number of daily speedboat trips to seven for Koh Pha-ngan and three for Koh Tao. It is now carrying around 1,000 passengers per day, most of whom are foreigners.
Thai hotels see positive growth as tourists start returning
TUESDAY, JANUARY 03, 2023
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Hotels in Thailand expect occupancy rates to start picking up in the second half of this year, especially since travel has become easier and China will lift restrictions from Sunday.
The Hotel Business Operator Sentiment Study, conducted by the Thai Hotel Association and the Bank of Thailand last month, shows that most hotels expect their revenue to rise by 10-30%.
The study, which covered 95 hotels, showed that most operators expect to welcome more guests this year.
This forecast is feasible because the average occupancy rate in December was 63%, up from 59% in November. Thailand expects arrivals to continue rising during the high season, which runs from November to March.
Though most hotels expect their occupancy rates to rise, hotels in the South expect to do far better with the arrival of European and American tourists.
The occupancy rate forecast for this month is about 60%.
However, despite the optimism, many hotels say they still face challenges like rising costs, global recession and labour shortage. They all hope the government will step in and lend a helping hand.
The survey showed that almost all hotel operators, especially small and medium-sized ones, want the government to help cut costs, provide low-interest loans, extend repayment periods and launch more subsidies like the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) scheme. They also called on the government to ease regulations for migrant workers.
Tourism and hotel operators also want the government to provide training and upskill the workforce in a bid to propel forward the tourism and hotel industries.
Meanwhile, all hotel operators have pledged to help prevent a new Covid-19 wave by prioritising hygiene standards. They said they will ensure strict adherence to public health regulations, so the industry can drive the country’s economy and instil confidence in tourists.
The survey results were released shortly after the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that Thailand had seen 11.81 million foreign arrivals last year. Most visitors were from Malaysia, followed by India, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the agency’s goal this year is to attract at least 25 million foreigners and generate 2.38 trillion baht in tourism revenue.
South Korea, Thailand launch mutual tourism campaign for 2023-2024
TUESDAY, JANUARY 03, 2023
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and its South Korean counterpart, the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO), have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to boost tourism in both countries.
The campaign, “2023-2024 Korea-Thailand Mutual Visit Years”, was officially launched on Monday.
Kim Jang-sil, KTO’s chief executive officer, said South Korea’s biggest visitors were Thais, with more than 570,000 visiting the country in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic brought tourism to a halt.
Thailand is also very popular with South Koreans, with as many as 1.89 million visiting the Kingdom in 2019. This put South Korea in the 4th position as Thailand’s biggest tourism market.
“Thailand and South Korea have been each other’s important tourism partners since before Covid-19, which affected the tourism industry globally,” he said.
Kim added that the outbreak situation was gradually improving, and KTO will focus on expanding its target for 2023 to also cover business travellers.
“Though the number of travellers in the MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions] group in Thailand is still small, they have high potential due to their tendency to seek quality tourism and high spending power,” Kim said.
He added that KTO will coordinate with TAT to make boost mutual travel by launching promotional campaigns.
“We will also introduce more flights to different cities to promote local and cultural tourism, bringing Thai travellers closer to the authentic Korean experience,” he added.
“During the Covid-19 shutdown, we prepared several aspects of tourism to welcome Thai travellers, including exchanging information with the TAT about changing consumer trends,” Kim added. “We believe long-standing bilateral ties and close cooperation, Thailand and South Korea will be able to bring the tourism industry back to pre-Covid levels.”
Six national parks to start e-ticketing from Saturday in pilot project
MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2023
Six national parks will test e-ticketing from Saturday as an alternative to cash for tourists to pay entry fees, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation announced on Monday.
The department said the e-tickets would be issued at Ao Phang Nga National Park, the Mu Ko Similan National Park, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Khao Yai National Park, Doi Inthanon National Park and Erawan National Park from Saturday in a pilot project.
The department said tourists can start buying e-tickets from Monday by using the QueQ app but the e-tickets can be showed to park officials at the entrance of the six national parks from Saturday onwards.
Those who buy e-tickets on the QueQ app can pay for the tickets by using their credit card or using the Thai QR Payment service.
The department said the new e-ticketing system would reduce the burden on park officials in storing large amounts of cash before transferring them to the department.
The department explained that the e-ticket service was started at the six parks first because they had mobile phone signals that are needed for park officials to check QR codes on the purchased e-tickets.
Once the system is found to be stable and after mobile phone signals cover more parks, the services will be extended to cover all parks in the future, the department added.
Tourists flood Phi Phi on Jan 1 as Thailand ups 2023 forecast to 25m visitors
MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2023
Phi Phi Islands National Park in Krabi province was flooded by over 5,000 tourists per day on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, said a park official on Sunday.
Authorities deployed extra staff to oversee parking and increased the number of ticket booths to prevent crowding, as visitors poured in all day to witness the crystal-clear waters and white-sand islands of the 388-square-kilometre marine sanctuary, officially known as Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko National Park.
Large crowds of tourists were seen at Railay Beach, Thale Waek (Separated Sea), Ko Poda and Pi Leh Bay.
Krabi logged a total of 62,927 tourists – 39,331 foreigners and 23,596 Thais – from December 30 to January 2, according to the local Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office. The TAT estimated tourism revenue for Krabi during the New Year holidays was 908.73 million baht.
The first 11 months of the year (January to November) saw over 1.52 million tourists visit Krabi, generating total revenue of 14.3 billion baht. Most of them were Thais (1.27 million).
The TAT expects Krabi’s tourism revenue for the whole year to exceed the target of 1.5 billion baht.
Thailand received around 11 million foreign tourists in 2022. The TAT last week revised its forecast for 2023 to 25 million visitors after news that China will reopen on January 8.
Devout Chiang Mai Buddhists call on ‘Luang Por Tan Jai’ for a lucky, healthy 2023
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022
Hundreds of locals and tourists flocked to Chiang Mai’s Wat Phra That Doi Kham on New Year’s Eve to pray for good luck and prosperity.
“Luang Por Tan Jai”, a 1,300-year-old Buddha image enshrined in the temple, is believed to help fulfil wishes in exchange for offerings.
Several visitors said they were at the temple to pray for good health and a blessed 2023 for themselves and their families. Many had also arrived to admire the temple’s ancient Lanna architecture.
On Saturday, 49 Buddhist monks gathered at the temple to chant prayers for the recovery of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who is being treated at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for a heart-related issue.
On Friday night, tourists also flocked to what remains of the 726-year-old city wall – the Tha Phae Gate – which has become a tourist landmark. The gate, glowing with flowers and lights for New Year celebrations, offers a beautiful backdrop for selfies. The area has been turned into a carnival, with concerts, games and booths selling street foods and souvenirs.
People will get to ring in the New Year with fireworks and musical performances at the “Chiang Mai Countdown 2023” across from Tha Phae Gate.
Thailand to offer Covid-19 shots to tourists at an affordable price
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022
Foreigners arriving in Thailand will soon be able to pay for Covid-19 vaccines as part of a collaboration between Public Health and Tourism and Sports ministries.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday that the “service” will be available for tourists from any country and may possibly cost between 500 and 800 baht per person.
This is in preparation for a potential influx of Chinese tourists now that China will drop the requirement for mandatory quarantine for inbound travellers from January 8.
Though Chinese nationals can go overseas freely, the easing of the quarantine rule will make it easier for them to return home.
However, the quarantine rule is being relaxed at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases in China is reportedly rising, causing concern for many countries that are popular among Chinese travellers.
Phiphat said he will meet Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob to discuss plans for preparing for a potential surge in foreign arrivals next year. All three ministers hail from the Bhumjaithai Party.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had said earlier that it expects some 500,000 Chinese tourists to visit the country during the Chinese New Year in late January.
After travel restrictions were eased in China, TAT has adjusted its forecast for foreign arrivals in 2023 from 20 million to 25 million, with up to 5 million of them being Chinese nationals.
BMA offers free buses to Bangkok floating markets every weekend from New Year’s Eve
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is offering Bangkokians who have decided to stay behind free buses to floating markets in the capital.
The BMA announced on Friday that this is part of a pilot project to boost local tourism by linking tourist attractions to main transportation routes via feeder buses at the weekends.
The service will start this weekend, when Bangkokians can hop on a BMA electric bus at MRT Bang Khun Non station, to get off at either Song Khlong or Taling Chan floating market. After these stops, the bus will head to the Southern Bus Terminal to pick up more passengers and then head to Lat Mayom and Wat Saphan floating markets, before terminating at the MRT Bang Khun Non station.
The service is available four times a day from 9am, with buses terminating at Bang Khun Non MRT station at 4.45pm.
An electric feeder bus seats 20 people, has a ramp for wheelchairs, free wi-fi and phone charging systems. Passengers can check the route and timetable through the ViaBus app.
Tourism Ministry proposes free booster shots for tourists
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Public Health Ministry to provide free Covid-19 booster shots to tourists at a meeting next month that also includes the Transport Ministry to discuss the return of Chinese tourists.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Thursday the three ministries would hold a meeting on January 5 to discuss preparations for the possible return of Chinese tourists following relaxation of travel restrictions by China.
Phiphat said the booster shots would be among the proposals of his ministry during the joint meeting.
He said he would propose that all foreign tourists who request Covid booster shots receive free vaccine, not only Chinese tourists.
“I’ll discuss the possibility of providing booster shots to tourists from all countries who want to receive Covid vaccine in Thailand,” Phiphat said.
“I think it’s worthwhile. It will be like a promotion to draw more foreign tourists to visit Thailand.”
The tourism minister explained that each vaccine shot would cost just a few hundred baht while each foreign tourist would spend an average of 40,000 baht in Thailand per trip, including 7% VAT of 2,800 baht. He said the VAT value alone would cover the cost of booster shots.
Phiphat said the government should allocate a budget from the central fund for the Public Health Ministry to buy Covid vaccines for providing booster shots to tourists.
Phiphat added that he would also ask the Public Health Ministry to use remaining Covid vaccines in stock to provide booster shots to personnel in the tourism sector.
He said the government should step up its PR campaigns for young working people in the tourism sector to come out to receive booster shots ahead of the return of Chinese tourists.
The personnel should also campaign to continue wearing flu masks to protect themselves, the tourism minister added.
“The proposal of free booster shots is based on the principle that we must take good care of foreign tourists since Thailand is ranked among the top five countries with the best public health system,” Phiphat added.
Meanwhile, Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the TAT had held a meeting with representatives of the private sector on Wednesday to discuss preparations for China’s reopening of its country.
The meeting expected that during the first three months of next year, about 300,000 Chinese tourists would visit Thailand, compared to some 274,000 arrivals from China throughout this year.
The meeting agreed that no sector must discriminate against Chinese tourists but must threat them with the same practices used for tourists from other countries.
Yuthasak said the meeting also saw the need for the personnel in the tourism sector to step up self-protection measures, including receiving booster shots. Hotels are also advised to use the Safety and Health Administration measures like what were used during the Covid pandemic.
In a related development, Phiphat said the National Tourism Policy Committee would meet on January 24 to deliberate the proposed entry fee rate for foreign arrivals by land. If approved, the entry fee rates for foreign arrivals by land, air and water would be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in February, Phiphat added.
Bangkok, Tokyo and Bali are top year-end destinations among Singapore travellers
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
Bangkok, Tokyo and Bali were well-loved destinations before the pandemic and they continue to be popular during this year-end travel season.
Kuala Lumpur and Seoul round out the top five places people in Singapore are visiting between December 2022 and February 2023, based on accommodation search data from travel booking platformExpedia.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its low-cost arm Scoot declined to reveal the airlines’ most popular routes, citing commercial sensitivities. But a spokesman for SIA said it expects demand to pick up in East Asia with the recent relaxation of border controls, especially over holiday periods such as Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 22.
SIA’s load factor in East Asia, which includes destinations such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong, has recovered to almost pre-pandemic levels. It was 81 % in November, compared with 88 % in November 2019.
Newlyweds Tan Ting Wei, 33, and Ronda Lim, 32, who got married in December, spent two weeks in Japan on their honeymoon visiting cities such as Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
Both are fans of the country. Mr Tan, who is the transformation lead at a fire protection equipment supplier, has been there for ski trips, while Ms Lim, a public servant, is on a quest to visit all 47 prefectures in Japan.
The couple had intended to go to Croatia, but changed their plans less than a month before their trip after the airline cancelled their connecting flight from Turkey to Croatia.
“Japan had just reopened and we saw friends going there for holidays. Both of us like the country a lot and we enjoy Japanese food,” said Ms Lim.
They found that hotel prices were higher than during pre-pandemic times, especially in Tokyo, where basic rooms in two- to three-star hotels could cost about $500 ( 17,314 baht ) a night. Many affordable chain hotels were also fully booked.
For others such as Jayden Ong, 29, the appeal of a familiar destination is being able to unwind and explore without feeling the need to pack her schedule with sightseeing.
She spent nine days in Thailand in December with her partner and a group of friends. In Bangkok, they visited a slew of restaurants and bars, including Khua Kling Pak Sod, which serves southern Thai food in a refined setting.
Ong, who is the co-founder of composting start-up Soil Social, also spent four days at Wonderfruit, an art, music and culture festival near Pattaya.
“I’ve been to Thailand about 10 times and it is always a comforting place to visit. People are friendly, it is affordable and there are new districts to explore,” she said.
SootinClaimon.Com 