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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020610

Lifting of all Covid-19 regulations will help Thailand’s tourism industry recover quickly: Marisa

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

THE NATION

The tourism industry began picking up when the Thailand Pass was scrapped on June 1 and is expected to surge ahead now that all restrictions have been lifted.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said recently that room bookings have already improved from 48 per cent to nearly 55 per cent. Meanwhile some hotels – especially five-star properties in the city centre – are boasting of more than 80 per cent occupancy.

However, the occupancy rate for hotels below 3 stars has still not improved, she said.

The hotelier also said that since airlines are scheduling more flights to Thailand for the cool season, it should be easy to achieve the target of 10 million tourists this year. Thailand has already welcomed some 6 million tourists over the past nine months.

Nearly 600,000 international flights are scheduled to land in Thailand each week during the cool season, up from just over 300,000 flights per week during the hot season, she said.

Hence, she added, it will be reasonable to expect up to 1.5 million arrivals per month in the last quarter.

The opening up of several countries, such as Japan and South Korea, will also contribute to the increase in arrivals, she added.

Marisa added that the scrapping of Covid-19 rules from October 1 will also attract more tourists from Europe, Scandinavia and Russia during the high season. The reason for this is more flights and easing of restrictions on face masks.

The target of 10 million foreign tourists is still low compared to the arrivals in 2019, which stood at around 40 million tourists and an occupancy rate of around 70 per cent.

Hotel occupancy dropped to 30 per cent after the arrival of Covid-19 in March 2020 and further to 3 per cent the following year due to lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said the tourism industry first started showing signs of recovery when the Phuket Sandbox was introduced on July 1, 2021.

He added that the industry should be able to easily generate 1.28 trillion baht in revenue this year, especially if the country can welcome some 1.5 million tourists every month in the fourth quarter and if domestic travellers rise to 160 million.

He also speculated that China’s President Xi Jinping will possibly lift his zero-Covid policy once he is re-elected as leader of the Communist Party on October 20.

The minister also pointed out that since Xi is arriving in November to attend the Apec summit, he may allow other Chinese citizens to start travelling abroad from December.

If China allows citizens to travel overseas, then Phiphat reckons at least 1.5 million arrivals will come from the mainland alone. This will bump this year’s total arrivals to 11.5 million he added.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020574

AOT earmarks nearly THB16 billion to upgrade Chiang Mai airport, double its capacity

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

THE NATION

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is speeding up the upgradation of Chiang Mai Airport with a budget of 15.8 billion baht for the first phase.

Kerati Kijmanawat, AOT’s senior executive vice president of engineering and construction, said that AOT has found the number of passengers in the passenger terminal is exceeding its capacity so it had decided to develop the airport.

He said that the project would be studied and designed with a budget of 280 million baht for the consulting firm.

AOT is expected to hire the consulting firm in October and work will start in April 2023. He expected it to be finished by March 2024.

AOT is also undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment, which is expected to finish in February 2023.

He said the project is being reviewed by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council and would be sent to the Cabinet for approval within October 2023.

Kerati said that the bidding and construction process will start in 2024 and the renovated airport will open in 2026.

He said the number of domestic passengers in 2019 was 8.1 million per year, far exceeding the 6 million capacity.

The number of international passengers in 2019 was 3.2 million per year, far exceeding the 2 million capacity.

After the first phase is finished, he expected that the airport would be able to welcome 16.5 million passengers per year, double the previous capacity of 8 million passengers per year.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the project is undergoing preliminary feasibility study to improve the passenger terminal, expand the airport apron, and expand the internal road system.

After the second phase of the project is finished, the airport will be able to receive 12 million domestic passengers and 8 million international passengers per year.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020486

Cabinet to be asked in Oct to consider charging foreign tourists an entry fee

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

THE NATION

The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Cabinet next month to consider charging international tourists a fee to enter the country, the tourism minister said.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday that a study on charging foreign tourists an entry fee would be carried out in a few days, after which the Cabinet would be asked to approve the move.

He said foreign visitors arriving by air would be charged 300 baht, while the fee for those entering by land, sea or rail might vary between 100 and 200 baht.

“It is expected the study will be done in three or four days from today [Tuesday],” Phiphat said. “Then, the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet in October. We have to make preparations in advance. If the Cabinet approves the rates, we’ll start collecting the fees soon.”

He said the foreign tourist fee collection had to be carried out in accordance with the National Tourism Policy Act of 2019 and the fees would be used to develop tourism and pay insurance for international visitors.

“It’s crucial for the ministry to collect the entry fees because the government does not allocate a budget for taking care of foreign tourists. When they are killed or injured in accidents, we need money to pay compensation,” Phiphat pointed out.

“If everything goes smoothly, the fee collection should begin early next year.”

Phiphat said the ministry has had the Tourism and Sports permanent secretariat sign a memorandum of understanding with Krung Thai Bank to link the payment system of the bank to the secretariat’s system for collecting the entry fees.

This would make it convenient for tourists to pay the fee, the minister said.

Foreign visitors could pay via websites, applications, kiosks or when purchasing air tickets, he said.

Also, the data on entry payments would be used to develop the tourism industry, Phiphat added.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020473

Nok Air scraps Korat-Chiang Mai route in blow to Northeast province

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

THE NATION

Nok Air has scrapped its Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai route less than two months after launching the service, which proved to be commercially unviable.

The final flight took off from Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) airport at 7am on Tuesday with just 10 passengers on board.

Closure of the route comes after Nakhon Ratchasima’s governor called a September 16 meeting with Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool but failed to persuade him to continue the service.

The low-cost carrier launched its first flight between Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai on August 2, using 86-seater Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop planes.

However, the service fell short of its target for commercial viability, with some flights carrying just nine passengers.

Nok Air initially told Nakhon Ratchasima provincial administration that it was suspending the service in October for maintenance work, but it quickly became obvious that the route was being scrapped.

Governor Wichian Janthornnothai now wants other Nok Air services to detour to Korat, including the Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight.

Nok is the 10th airline that has tried and failed to make the Korat-Chiang Mai route commercially viable, following efforts by Thai Airways, Air Andaman, AirAsia, Air Phoenix, Happy Air and others.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020393

Doi Inthanon waterfall closed as storm hits Thailand’s highest mountain

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

THE NATION

Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai closed its famed Mae Klang waterfall on Sunday after heavy rain caused flooding at the cascade.

Park authorities posted clips of the waterfall in Chom Thong district overflowing with a torrent of reddish water, flooding shops in the tourist hub at the foot of Thailand’s highest mountain. Officials said some shops had suffered extensive flood damage.

The park reported that 21 millimetres of rain fell overnight at the summit of Doi Inthanon, 17mm at Kiew Mae Pan viewpoint, and 32mm at the top of Mae Klang Waterfall.

On Saturday night, rainfall was measured at 40mm at Doi Inthanon’s summit, 60mm at the top of the waterfall and 29mm at the park office. Meanwhile, residents of Khun Khun Klang village took emergency action after 50mm of rain fell at the kilometre 31 marker on Doi Inthanon. Runoff from the deluge caused the Mae Klang canal to swell, prompting villagers to move their possessions upstairs.

Doi Inthanon, known as the roof of Thailand, stands 2,565 metres above sea level and is a popular tourist destination.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020388

Heavy rains keep Tham Luang caves closed for now

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

THE NATION

Chiang Rai’s Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park will remain closed until October 15 to prevent a repeat of the 2018 Wild Boar incident.

The national park has been closed since July 1 and was scheduled to reopen on October 1. However, national park chief Rungsaran Banluesakchai said heavy rains had flooded the Tham Luang Cave and Khun Nam Morakot Pond areas, making the areas dangerous for tourists.

“Hence, the national park will remain closed to visitors at least until October 15,” she said, adding that people can still contact the national park as usual.

In June 2018, the world was transfixed for 17 days as an elaborate international rescue mission unfolded after rising waters in the cave system trapped 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach.

The 200-metre-deep Chamber 1, which leads into the cave complex, served as the command centre for a rescue operation led by Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn and the Thai Navy SEALs.

All 12 boys and their coach were rescued from the cave by an international team of divers between July 8 and 11.

The Wild Boars have since become celebrities, with their ordeal depicted in a series of films and documentaries.

Four years since the gripping rescue drama, the authorities have cemented the area in front of the cave and built a stairway leading into it.

A statue of Saman Kunan, a Royal Thai Navy SEAL member who died during the rescue operation and became the Tham Luang hero, has also been erected in front of the cave.

A car park and a tourist service centre with toilets have also been built nearby.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020383

Airlines pump up for Japan’s Oct 11 reopening with scores of special deals

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

With Japan set to open its doors to tourists from October 11, airlines have started wooing people waiting for the past two years to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Thai Airways International (THAI), AirAsia, ZipAir and VietJet Air are all competing to offer the best deal.

THAI roundtrip flights to major Japanese cities cost between 15,385 and 25,490 baht, provided reservations are made by October 7 and tickets are used up between October 30 and December 15. The airline flies to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

AirAsia, meanwhile, is offering one-way fares for between 3,690 and 8,430 baht to Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. Reservations, however, close on September 25 for flights to Fukuoka between October and March and to other Japanese cities between January and October next year.

Meanwhile, Japan Airlines’ low-cost carrier ZipAir is offering one-way fares between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Tokyo’s Narita at the starting price of 4,950 baht. One-way fares go down to 2,350 baht for children aged six and less. Reservations must be made before March 3.

VietJet is offering one-way tickets between Bangkok and Fukuoka from 3,999 baht.

On Thursday, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will allow independent tourism and abolish its daily cap on arrivals from October 11. Visa-free entry for travellers from 68 countries will also be restored.

This long-awaited announcement comes after Japan put in place strict Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic first struck in 2020.

In June, Japan began allowing entry to foreigners on guided tours and by September, the daily arrival cap was raised to 50,000.

In 2019, Japan welcomed a record 31.88 million foreign tourists, but arrivals plummeted to just about 250,000 in 2021 due to tight restrictions.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020377

Phuket tourists spellbound by the enchantment of Carnival Magic

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

THE NATION

Thai and foreign tourists have been flocking to Carnival Magic, Phuket’s latest theme park, since its official launch on Tuesday.

The 6.6-billion-baht theme park covers an area of more than 100 rai in Kathu district.

Kittikorn Kewkacha, president and CEO of Phuket FantaSea Plc and Carnival Magic Co Ltd, said on Friday that the theme park appeared to be a huge hit among foreigners.

The tourism industry is picking up now that Thailand has eased Covid-19 restrictions, and on the back of this, the park expects to welcome as many as 2 million visitors next year, he said. This should also help revitalise Phuket’s economy, Kittikorn added.

The park comprises four zones: Carnival Fun Fair shopping street, Bird of Paradise Buffet Restaurant that can accommodate 3,000 guests, River Palace, a 10-rai indoor theatre, and Kingdom of Lights illumination park that features decorations and sculptures made with 40 million LED lights.

“Our primary targets for now are Thais and tourists from neighbouring countries,” Kittikorn said. “But we will soon launch promotional campaigns targeting visitors from other parts of Asia, Australia, North America and Europe.”

He said the theme park will not only bring tourists to Phuket, especially during the high season, but will also boost employment and local consumption, which should contribute to the country’s recovery.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020344

TAT works hard to bring Japanese tourists back to Thailand

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes at least 350,000 Japanese tourists will visit the Kingdom this year and generate at least 21 billion baht in revenue.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said on Thursday that from January 1 to September 20, as many as 166,709 Japanese tourists had entered Thailand, making them the 12th highest arrivals in the country.

“TAT aims to achieve the 350,000 target this year by launching several campaigns, including joining the Tourism Expo Japan 2022 [TEJ] in Tokyo this week,” he said.

This is the 34th time the annual TEJ expo has been organised by the Japan Association of Travel Agents and Japan Travel and Tourism Association, and the first in two years since the arrival of Covid-19.

The event gives tourism operators a platform to discuss business deals as well as promote attractions and packages to potential travellers.

The four-day event, which wraps up on Sunday, has booths from 63 countries, including airlines, and expects to attract some 200,000 visitors.

Seven hotels and three tour companies from Thailand have joined the event to present packages, products and services under the “Imakoso Thai E” (Now is the time to visit Thailand) campaign.

Yuthasak said TAT will also collaborate with seven Japanese tour companies, including HIS, JALPAK, JTB, NOE, TOBU Top Tour, NTA and Air Trip to promote travel packages to Thailand. The aim is to sell at least 10,000 packages in the last quarter of 2022.

The packages have been designed under the “COSMO” concept, which translates to:

• C = Corporate trip extension (offering extra free days of stay for corporate clients)

• O = Older tourists get to experience luxury

• S = Solo traveller privileges

• M = Me, Mom and More friends (discounts for those travelling with their mother or in groups of three or more)

• O = Outdoor sports.

In 2019, before the pandemic, some 1.8 million Japanese tourists visited Thailand, generating income of over 93 billion baht. The Japanese were the fifth highest foreign arrivals in Thailand. This number, however, dropped to 320,331 people in 2020 and 9,461 in 2021 due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40020318

Chiang Mai selected World Festival and Event City for 2022

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

Chiang Mai has been selected as one of five “World Festival and Event Cities” for 2022 by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA).

The northern city won the title on Wednesday, the last day of the three-day 65th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat.

The four other cities chosen are Jinju (South Korea), McAllen (Texas, US), Penghu County (Taiwan) and Philadelphia (US).

Chiang Mai deputy governor Worayarn Boonyanarat said IFEA selected the festival cities based on their capability to hold outstanding events with close cooperation among local partners. Such cities must also be able to become role models for using events and festivals to drive the economy.

Worayarn said Chiang Mai met all the criteria and it has been holding a variety of festivals with participation and support by government agencies, the private sector and local communities.

Chiang Mai has used festivals and events to drive its economy, tourism and job creation, he noted.

This year, the IFEA added the ability to manage the Covid situation as a factor in selecting cities.

The deputy governor said the award affirmed Chiang Mai’s charm as a tourist destination and a destination for meetings and international festivals.

Worayarn was assigned by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sutthipong Julcharoen to attend the IFEA event along with Jutha Tharachai, director of the northern division of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

Jutha said the TCEB and the Visit Lanna Association, which nominated Chiang Mai for the award, would cooperate with all sectors to use soft power to promote the province as an “outstanding destination” for international events.

THE NATION