Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023
Samut Prakan’s Wat Dhammakatanyu (Xian Lo Dai Tien Gong Temple) burst into colour, light and sound on Friday evening to mark this year’s Lantern Festival.
The province has been holding this extravaganza as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations every year for the past 10 years. The Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, while the Lantern Festival runs until February 19.
The festival saw 5,000 lanterns of different shapes, sizes and colours decorating the temple’s central shrine that houses five Chinese gods carved from stone. The lanterns were specially imported from Taiwan for the occasion.
Wat Dhammakatanyu is also famous for its twin lions carved from jade guarding the gates. These are the largest in Thailand.
Entertaining visitors on Friday was a dragon show, the lion dance show and a variety of Thai-Chinese traditional stage performances. The devout also stopped at the shrine to pray for a healthy, wealthy and happy Year of the Rabbit.
Chinese New Year expected to generate 21 billion baht in tourism revenue
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023
Travel during the Chinese New Year festival is expected to generate around 21.2 billion baht for the Thai economy, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Thursday.
An estimated 16.6 billion baht of this revenue is expected from foreign tourists.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that about 588,900 foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand between January 19 and January 27 – an exponential 1,622% increase over last year’s Chinese New Year.
Foreign tourists are expected to generate 16.69 billion baht in revenue during the period – 1,759% higher than the same period last year.
The number of tourists this year represents 41% of the total during the same period in 2019, and the revenue 44%, Yuthasak said.
Total revenue from both Thai and foreign tourists during Chinese New Year is estimated at 21.29 billion baht, 48% of the amount in 2019, according to the TAT.
Most foreign visitors are expected to come from East and Southeast Asia – about 332,500 – jumping 9,174% from last year. An estimated 11.1 billion baht is expected to be generated, a whopping 10,575% increase over last year.
When compared to the Chinese New Year in 2019, the number of foreign tourists is expected to equal 33% while revenue will be around 41%.
Large numbers of tourists from East and Southeast Asia are expected from South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, who will all celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Tourists from China alone are estimated at 29,400 during the long holiday break, an increase of 3,738% from last year but only 7% of the numbers in 2019.
Revenue from Chinese visitors during the coming Lunar New Year break is estimated at 1 billion, representing a 3,968% increase from last year but accounting for only 10% of 2019.
“The recovery in the number of Chinese tourists and revenue generated during the Chinese New Year of 2023 will not be high, despite the Chinese government lifting the quarantine requirement from January 8,” Yuthasak said.
He said there are still obstacles to Chinese looking to visit Thailand. These include insufficient flights between the two countries to cope with the increased demand, lack of permission from the Chinese government for overseas package tours, and time required for Chinese people to get new passports and visas to Thailand.
However, there will be more flights to Thailand from other Asian markets this month, a 7% increase from last December.
The outlook is also bright for the domestic market during the coming Chinese New Year. Yuthasak said that the number of Thai tourists is estimated at 1.38 million during the period – a recovery of 90% when compared to 2019.
About 4.6 billion baht in revenue is expected – a 139% increase from last year and 81% of the amount in 2019.
Chinese tourists return to Chiang Mai just in time for Lunar New Year
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023
The first planeload of 195 Chinese tourists touched down in Chiang Mai on Wednesday after China scrapped travel restrictions last week.
Juneyao Airlines Flight HO1325 landed at Chiang Mai Airport at 3.30pm and was welcomed by representatives from the provincial Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office, Tourism Council, and tourism operators in the province.
China was Thailand’s biggest overseas tourism market before the pandemic, with around 11 million Chinese arrivals in 2019. However, Thai tourism authorities expect less than half that number, or about 5 million, to visit the country this year.
So far, five Chinese airlines have opened routes to Chiang Mai, said the airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaithiam. They are:
– Juneyao Airlines: Shanghai-Chiang Mai daily service starting January 18
– Spring Airlines: Guangzhou-Chiang Mai on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, starting January 20
– China Eastern Airlines: Shanghai-Chiang Mai on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, starting January 21
– Sichuan Airlines: Chengdu-Chiang Mai on Wednesday, starting January 25
– Air China: Beijing-Chiang Mai on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, starting February 8
Wijit said Chiang Mai Airport also has direct flights to other 11 international destinations, namely Inchon, Singapore, Luang Prabang, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Busan, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the airport operated 29 direct international flights, 19 of which were to China, carrying an average of 5,000 Chinese passengers per day.
In 2019, about 1.78 million Chinese passengers passed through Chiang Mai Airport.
In the first quarter of 2023, most Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai will be travelling independently as tour companies have not started selling packages to Thailand, said Suladda Sarutilavan, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office. However, tourists in groups led by tour guides would start pouring in from the second quarter, she added.
The TAT estimates Chiang Mai will see 600,000 visitors from China this year, or about one-third of the total recorded in 2019. Chiang Mai city and the TAT have planned a year-long calendar of festivals to attract foreign tourists, starting with Chinese New Year on Sunday, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Songkran in April, and Loy Krathong in November.
Flower power peaks as Tiger Queens bloom in the North
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023
The chill breeze of winter sweeping through the region attracted a large number of tourists eager to witness the blooming of Himalayan cherry trees (known locally as “Tiger Queens” or “Nang Phaya Sua Kroang”) on Wednesday at Phu Lom Lo in Loei’s Dan Sai district.
Tiger Queens blossom once a year, usually in January and February.
The 1200-rai Phu Lom Lo located in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is home to more than 100,000 Himalayan cherry trees – the largest concentration in Thailand.
The top of Phu Lom Lo, where Himalayan cherry trees are located, can be either reached from Ban Rong Kla village in Phitsanulok province or the Phu Lom Lo visitor centre in Loei. The former route is 7 kilometres from the summit and takes about 15 minutes to climb, while the latter is 15 kilometres away and takes about 40 minutes (off-road cars are offered to transport customers to the peak).
Loei’s route saw more travellers since it offers tourist service centres, large parking lots, and clean toilets provided by provincial authorities.
One visitor said: “Everyone should visit. The scenery is majestic as 80-90% of the Himalayan cherry trees have bloomed.”
Tourism committee to decide next week on entry fee for foreign tourists
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023
The National Tourism Policy Committee will consider on January 24 the proposal to levy a 300-baht entry fee on foreign tourists, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday.
Phiphat said the committee would be asked to consider approving the same rate for tourists arriving by air, land and boat.
The minister said if the proposal were to be approved, collection of the entry fee would begin from June 1.
People from neighbouring countries who use a border pass to enter the Kingdom, and foreigners who have work permits to work in Thailand would be exempted from the fee.
The entry fee will be collected under the provisions of the amended National Tourism Policy Act, which has been enforced since May 20 2019.
The act empowers the government to collect an entry fee from tourists, which will be used to set up a fund that will be used to promote tourism.
Earlier, Phiphat had said the fund would be used to buy insurance for foreign tourists so that the government could compensate foreign tourists killed or injured while staying in Thailand.
Carpet of lilies lures visitors to Nong Han lake in Udon Thani
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023
Pink lilies that blanket Nong Han lake in Kumphawapi district of Udon Thani province are in full bloom to welcome visitors until March this year.
The lake has seen a surge in visitors after CNN included it on its list of the 15 strangest lakes of the world in 2014.
The lake covers more than 22,500 rai (3,600 hectares) and is the second-largest freshwater lake in the Northeast. The lake also is a nurturing habitat for a range of fish, birds and aquatic plants.
Pink lilies at Nong Han lake are usually in full bloom during the cool season from December to February before gradually declining in March.
Visitors are advised to visit the sea of pink lilies in the morning as the sun can be overwhelming after 11am.
Pontoons and long-tail boats, which can support six visitors and two visitors respectively, are available at the lake. The charter fare for a pontoon is 500 baht and 200 baht for a long-tail boat ride.
For more information about pontoons and long-tail boats, contact the lake’s tourism boat enterprise chairman, Paisit Sukrome: 089 3950 087 and 083 349 5673.
Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel: Sojern
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023
Thailand topped the destination list for online flight searches for travel in the region during the Lunar New Year, a company that focuses on digital marketing for the travel industry said.
Thailand moved from second to first place this year, accounting for 27% of all travel searches in the Asia Pacific region for the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, China-based Sojern said.
Thailand was followed by Japan (19%) and Singapore (18%) – which fell from first to third place – the Philippines (10%), and Malaysia (8%).
In terms of cities and resorts, Bangkok accounted for 22% of all searches. It was followed by Tokyo (15%), Manila (9%), Phuket (7%) and Taiwan (7%), according to Sojern.
In terms of flight bookings, the top two countries of origin for travel to or within the region for Chinese New Year are Singapore (16%) and the United States (12%), Sojern said, adding that the strong US dollar was likely a factor making travel to the region popular with US tourists. Thailand (9%), Taiwan (8%), and Japan (7%) took the third to fifth spots on Sojern’s list.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was overjoyed that Thailand, according to Sojern, received the most attention from tourists in terms of flight searches.
Anucha said the government expected a surge of tourists from China and other countries to visit the Asia-Pacific region during the Lunar New Year holiday, and that this would help revive the tourism industry this year.
“The prime minister is happy that the government’s measures [to promote tourism] have become successful. The reputation and image of Thailand also creates confidence among foreign tourists, helping Thailand to retain its top spots among foreign tourists in all seasons,” Anucha said.
“The prime minister would like to thank all state and private agencies for holding interesting activities to attract tourists and help make Thailand a hotspot,” he said.
The spokesman added that Prayut has instructed all relevant government agencies to prepare to welcome foreign tourists during the Lunar New Year and ensure their safety.
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).
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.
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.
“The prime minister is happy that the government’s measures [to promote tourism] have become successful. The reputation and image of Thailand also creates confidence among foreign tourists, helping Thailand to retain its top spots among foreign tourists in all seasons,” Anucha said.
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