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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023968

Thailand targets 80m foreign tourists per year – 10m more than population

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Thailand is eyeing up to 80 million foreign tourists per year by 2027, twice the number in 2019 and far exceeding the Thai population of 70 million.

Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn set the five-year target on Thursday, aiming to generate 5 trillion baht in annual revenue by 2027 – almost tripling the 1.93 trillion baht generated by foreign arrivals in 2019.

This year, the ministry expects to see at least 25 million foreign tourists land in Thailand, helping the sector recover to 60% of pre-pandemic level. Total revenue from domestic and foreign tourists in 2023 is forecast at 2.4 trillion baht, or 80% of the level before Covid-19, driven by China arrivals after the country scrapped travel restrictions on January 8.

“Before 2027 arrives, we have to prepare our personnel and resources to welcome [more] foreign tourists,” said Phiphat, adding that his ministry will coordinate with the Labour Ministry to build up the size and skills of the tourism workforce.

Phitphat said that besides addressing the shortage of skilled tourism workers, Thailand needs to boost security and safety to welcome a high volume of foreign arrivals. This would require coordination between the ministry, related agencies and the general public.

Last year saw 11.81 million foreign tourists visit Thailand, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), helping generate total revenue from domestic and international tourists of 1.5 trillion baht.

The TAT said most foreign visitors last year came from Malaysia (1.95 million), followed by India (965,994), Laos (844,959), Cambodia (591,657) and Singapore (589,770).

Related Stories

First planeload of 200 Chinese tourists to land in Thailand on Monday

Thailand’s new regulations keeping tourists away, say tour agencies

Phuket the top tourist destination for foreigners in 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023953

Google reveals top places in Thailand on Google Maps in 2022 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023

2022 saw Thais gradually resume travelling as the Covid-19 pandemic in the country continued to improve. According to data from Google Maps, there was a significant increase in commute searches on Google Maps compared to 2021.

Cycling directions requests increased by 30% and walking directions requests increased by 110%. There was also more than a 50% increase in driving directions requests while transit directions requests more than doubled.

Google has also revealed the lists of places in Thailand with the most direction requests and interactions on Google Maps in 2022 including beaches, shopping centres, cafes and restaurants, as well as the most reviewed historical sites and landmarks of all time. 

Thailand’s beach destinations are popular with both domestic and foreign tourists. The top beaches with the most direction requests and interactions on Google Maps in 2022 are located in six provinces including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Rayong, Krabi, and Phuket. 

Top beaches in Thailand in 2022
Bo Thong Lang Bay, Prachuap Khiri Khan
Samae Beach, Chon Buri
Haad Wai Nam, Surat Thani
Sai Nuan Beach, Surat Thani
Bang Por Beach, Surat Thani
Ta Yai Beach, Chon Buri 
Nam Rin Beach, Rayong
Baan Tai Beach, Surat Thani
Noppharat Thara Beach, Krabi
Thala Beach, Phuket

Thailand is a popular destination for shopping with a wide range of available shopping options, from luxury malls with high-end international brands to affordable shopping centres. According to Google Maps, top shopping centres by direction requests and interactions in 2022 are located in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi.

Top shopping centres in Thailand in 2022
centralwOrld 
Megabangna
ICONSIAM
Siam Paragon
Future Park Rangsit
Central Ladprao
Central Westgate 
Fashion Island
Central Pinklao
Central Rama 2

Cafes and restaurants remain some of the most popular meet-up locations in Thailand. According to Google Maps, the top 10 cafes and restaurants in Thailand by direction requests and interactions in 2022 are located in Bangkok and nearby provinces including Nakhon Pathom and Chon Buri.  

Top cafes and restaurants in Thailand in 2022
Chocolate Ville (Bangkok)
Jeh O Chula (Bangkok)
Tichuca Rooftop Bar (Bangkok)
Bubble in the Forest Cafe (Nakhon Pathom)
Jay Fai (Bangkok)
Mum Aroi – Na Kluea Branch (Chon Buri)
Pupen Seafood Restaurant (Chon Buri)
CQK Spicy hot pot (Bangkok)
Thipsamai @Maha Chai Rd Original (Bangkok)
Pa Boon Café (Chon Buri)

Aside from providing directions for places of interest, Google Maps also enables people to share their experiences by leaving reviews of the places they visited. According to Google Maps, the most reviewed historical site in Thailand of all time is The Grand Palace, one of Thailand’s most well-known landmarks and attractions. Further down the list of most reviewed historical sites and landmarks are Wat Phra Thart Pha Sorn Kaew in Phetchabun and Pratu Tha Phae in Chiang Mai.

Most reviewed historical sites and landmarks in Thailand, all-time
The Grand Palace (Bangkok)
Wat Phra Thart Pha Sorn Kaew (Phetchabun)
Pratu Tha Phae (Chiang Mai)
Wat Mahathat (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
Sukhothai Historical Park (Sukhothai)
Wat Chaiwatthanaram (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
Kham Chanot Wang Nakhin (Udon Thani)
Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang (Lampang)
Karon View Point (Phuket)
Phanom Rung Historical Park (Buri Ram)

The lists showcase various places people in Thailand are interested in on Google Maps. In fact, Google Maps is more than just a tool for navigation. It also offers recommendations for places and allows users to edit information and share their experiences by writing reviews and adding photos and videos which will help others find useful information they need to make decisions. 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023899

Koh Samui’s Fisherman’s Village raises game to lure tourist shoals

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Fisherman’s Village Walking Street on Koh Samui has cast its net for a bigger haul of tourists this high season with a clean-up.

Work to beautify Beach Road in Bo Phut began on Tuesday, with landscape improvements and general tidying up of more than 100 street vendors that line the 1-kilometre walking street on Samui’s coastline.

Local tourism operators say they want to highlight the street’s old charm by presenting the authentic fishing-village lifestyle in a safe, clean and uncluttered setting.

To add colour, the walking street is also hosting nightly fire baton displays.

The makeover aims to generate up to 5 million baht of cash flow per night for local street vendors.

Suwaphak Wongthanapornsil, who operates a hotel on Fisherman’s Village Walking Street, said local tourism businesses have also asked authorities to ban traffic and parking on the street from 6pm to midnight to ensure tourist safety and maximise vending areas. He is confident the move will spark a flood of tourists and turn Fisherman’s Village into a star attraction on the island.

Koh Samui was last year ranked the second-best tourist destination in Asia behind the Andaman Islands and seventh-best in the world by Travel+Leisure magazine. The magazine cited Samui’s beautiful coastline and crystal-clear waters, giving it high scores for activities, food, friendliness and overall value.

Related Stories

Koh Samui’s shiny beaches, sparkling seas make a top destination in Asia

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Tugboat capsizes in choppy Gulf of Thailand, all crew members rescued

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023891

Leaner travel subsidy scheme may be added to Cabinet agenda next week: minister

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The toned-down fifth phase of the Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) subsidy was not added to this week’s Cabinet agenda.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday that the Cabinet may deliberate on it next week, once it has undergone the process of being added to the agenda.

“I think it should be ready for the next Cabinet meeting,” Phiphat said.

The ministry has tried several times to win Cabinet approval for the fifth phase of the scheme since last year.

After the Cabinet more than halved the budget for the tourism stimulus package from 8.7 billion baht to 4 billion baht, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called on the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to discuss the budget in detail with the Budget Bureau.

TAT then came up with a toned-down subsidy scheme that will cost 2.02 billion baht.

Under the new programme, only 560,000 hotel bookings will be subsidised, and each tourist will get a discounted rate for no more than five nights and a 600 baht cash voucher per booking. The scheme will not subsidise airfares.

The remaining 1.98 billion baht of the budget will be spent on tourism promotions in Thailand and overseas.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023872

First group of 200 Chinese tourists lands in Thailand

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

THE NATION

The first direct flight from China since the pandemic shut borders arrived in Thailand on Monday (January 9), a day after Beijing dropped COVID border controls that had largely prevented its 1.4 billion residents from travelling for three years.

Passengers of Xiamen Airlines flight MF833, carrying 269 Chinese travellers, were given a warm welcome upon landing at Suvarnabhumi Airporton the outskirts of Bangkok.

Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul handed out garlands while airport officials distributed bags of souvenirs to the arriving visitors.

“We’re very excited to come back to Thailand. We have been waiting for three years already.”

“Before the start of COVID, we come here every year. And this time I take my family to come here.”said  Wang Zheyin CHINESE TOURIST 

The arrival comes as Thailand suddenly rescinded a policy announced at the weekend requiring visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, Anutin said, citing sufficient immunisation levels in China and globally.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Anutin said requiring visitors to show evidence of vaccination was inconvenient and a panel of experts had resolved that it was unnecessary as enough vaccinations had been administered globally. The minister also said visitors not vaccinated would also be granted entry without restriction.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023857

TAT heading to three major cities in China next month for tourism roadshows

MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to organise its first tourism roadshow in China, as the country has finally lifted travel restrictions.

TAT’s Regional Director of East Asia, Chuwit Sirivejkul, said on Monday that the roadshow is set to be held in three major cities of China – Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu — during the third week of February this year.

He added that as many as 120 businesspeople from both China and Thailand are set to join the roadshows in a bid to create tour packages for foreign independent travellers (FITs) and group tours.

During the pre-pandemic period, 60% of Chinese visitors in Thailand were independent travellers, while the other 40% travelled with tour agents.

“This will be the first roadshow in China after the Covid-19 pandemic, as their restrictions on inbound travellers have been lifted,” said Chuwit.

He added: “The TAT has been notified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand as well as airlines operators of the restoration of flights between Thailand and China, which will start on January 18 until the third week of March this year, when the winter season finishes.”

Meanwhile, Chinese online travel agent Ctrip said that the company would launch an online marketing campaign on social media to promote its tour packages in Thailand, especially targeting FITs, Chuwit added.

Tanes Petsuwan, TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and South Pacific, said that all five TAT offices in China as well as domestic tourism operators are looking to prepare for the return of Chinese tourists.

According to the TAT’s estimates, since international flights to Thailand have not yet been fully resumed, the country could expect only around 300,000 Chinese travellers in the first quarter, with the number forecast to increase from the second quarter onwards.

However, as air travel has not fully recovered, some Chinese nationals may choose to enter Thailand via border checkpoints, especially those in Chiang Rai and Nong Khai provinces.

“The TAT has instructed Chiang Rai and Nong Khai authorities to prepare for the visitors coming through border checkpoints. Aside from the two provinces, other provinces such as Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Khon Kaen will also benefit from Chinese tourists,” said Tanes.

Thailand saw a record-breaking 11 million Chinese visitors in 2019, who generated 531 billion baht in revenue. They accounted for 27% of 2 trillion baht revenue from foreign travellers.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023855

Uttaradit national park shut for 6 months to rehabilitate itself

MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023

The Phu Soi Dao National Park in Uttaradit’s Nam Pat district will be closed to tourists for six months, so nature can rehabilitate itself, an announcement said.

Sarawut Mahathanakhom, the park’s chief, announced on Saturday that the park will be closed from January 10 to June 30.

The park chief reasoned that seasonal forest fires are normally sparked this time of the year, so it will become dangerous for tourists.

He also said that this would be a good time for nature to rest and heal itself from human activities.

The park in the North of Thailand is closed for six months annually and reopens on July 1.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023850

Wat Phra Kaew: Home to Thailand’s most sacred deity

MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023

The Emerald Buddha Temple or Wat Phra Kaew is one of Bangkok’s most venerated sites, housing many objects deemed sacred in Thailand.

The temple, also known as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, lies within the Grand Palace compound and is home to the Emerald Buddha, which is venerated as Thailand’s protector.

Construction of the temple began in 1783, under the auspices of the Chakri dynasty’s first king, King Rama I. Since then, each successive king has been personally involved in adding, restoring and embellishing the temple as a way of making merit and glorifying the dynasty.

Many key state and royal ceremonies presided over by the King are held within the temple each year.

The King also personally changes the deity’s costume thrice a year to mark summer, rainy season and winter.

Since the temple is considered the country’s most sacred venue, visitors are not allowed to wear sleeveless, strapped, short or see-through shirts, short, torn or tight trousers, biking shorts or mini-skirts.

Visitors wearing prints depicting death will not be allowed to enter, while those with tattoos related to Buddhism or Hinduism will be required to cover them.

Tourists unable to meet the dress code can rent respectable attire near the entrance.

All visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the temple and are recommended to tuck their feet while seated so they do not point at the deity or objects of worship. Drinking, eating, smoking or wearing accessories like sunglasses or earphones is not allowed in the temple’s sanctum.

The temple is open daily from 8.30am to 3.30pm and visitors can take photographs around the temple, but not inside the inner sanctum where the Emerald Buddha deity is enshrined.

The closest MRT station to the temple is Sanam Chai, though it can also be accessed by public bus and taxi.

Entrance is 500 baht for foreigners and tickets can be bought at the door upon arrival or online via www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/home at least 24 hours in advance.

Related stories:

• Thais eager to welcome Chinese travellers in post-COVID rebound
• Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions
• His Majesty marks birthday with call for unity, integrity

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40023844

3 ministers welcome first Chinese group of tourists at Suvarnabhumi

MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023

The first big group of Chinese tourists received a hero’s welcome by three ministers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at around noon on Monday.

Xiamen Airlines flight MF833 brought the first group of 269 Chinese tourists to Bangkok after Beijing lifted quarantine measure for arrivals on Sunday.

Greeting the group at the arrivals hall were Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Meanwhile, officials were also at hand distributing orchid garlands, souvenirs and Chinese-language leaflets on tourism information. They also held up a banner with a slogan in Chinese reading: “Chinese-Thais come from the same family. Amazing Thailand will always warmly welcome Chinese people.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had said earlier that independent travellers from China will start returning to Thailand later this month during the long Chinese New Year holidays.

Chinese travellers were the biggest group of foreign tourists in Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in 2020. In 2019, Thailand welcomed 39.9 million foreign tourists, of whom 11 million were Chinese.

TAT expects some 300,000 Chinese visitors in the first quarter of this year – 60,000 in January, 90,000 in February and 150,000 in March. TAT expects some 5 million Chinese tourists this year.