Bangkok booth wins top award at India’s No 1 travel expo
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s booth to promote the Thai capital as a global tourist destination won the top award at India’s premier travel trade show on Saturday.
India overtook China as Thailand’s top source of foreign tourists last year as Beijing imposed tough Covid-19 travel restrictions.
The Bangkok booth at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM 2023), held in Mumbai from February 2-4, was handed the Best Design and Decoration Award by the organiser.
The award was received by Sing Limpirat, deputy director of BMA’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.
Over 30,000 people checked out the booth showcasing Bangkok’s charm and attractions, many of whom confirmed they wanted to visit the capital, he said.
The event’s crowd of mostly tourism business operators inquired about travel in Bangkok, as well as Thai handicrafts such as fruit carving, flower arrangement.
Attendees were also interested in dishes available in Bangkok that would appeal to Indian tourists, including Krathong Thong, Panipuri, and chicken satay, as well as Thai and Indian tea.
Visitors also participated in Ramwong Thai folk dancing and took part in a contest to win one-day trips in Bangkok featuring a leisure cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Participants had to snap a photo of the BMA booth and post it on their Facebook with the hashtag #bangkoktourismdivision.
The Bangkok booth also offered Thai traditional costumes for participants to wear and take selfies, which attracted the longest queues over the three-day exhibition.
The final day saw the BMA showcase awarded Best Design and Decoration in a vote by over 1,250 booth organisers and 30,000 participants.
BMA representatives also gave interviews to foreign journalists from several outlets regarding the city’s readiness to welcome international visitors.
“We believe that participating in the OTM 2023 will definitely help attract more foreign tourists and tour operators from around the world to visit the Thai capital,” said Sing.
Koh Pha-ngan’s second full moon party after the pandemic was a resounding success with more than 20,000 revellers showing up.
The Sunday event at Rin Beach featured concerts, fire shows and free-flowing booze, though police and security officials were at hand to ensure everybody’s safety.
Wijarn Chunthwichit, the district chief, said most tourists had travelled from Surat Thani’s other islands like Koh Samui and Koh Tao to attend the event.
“Security personnel were deployed to keep an eye out for pickpockets and to ensure there were no brawls in the area,” he said.
He added that speedboat operators were also instructed to provide life jackets to passengers to ensure safety, and said he expects this full moon party to have generated more than 1 million baht in revenue.
“The island is more or less full of tourists,” he said.
Koh Pha-ngan’s full moon parties this year are scheduled for March 7, April 5, May 4, June 4, July 2, August 3 and 31, September 29, October 30, November 27, and December 27 and 31.
Chinese tour groups to start arriving in Thailand from Monday
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Thailand is ready to welcome Chinese package tourists who will start arriving from Monday now that Beijing has lifted travel restrictions, a government spokesperson said.
In preparation for the influx, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is coordinating with the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry to put all necessary measures in place for welcoming tour groups from China, deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Trisaranakul said.
She added that public and private agencies have estimated that the return of tour groups from China would be gradual because tour agencies have been on hold for three years during the pandemic.
She added that Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has instructed all agencies under his jurisdiction to ensure that all Chinese tour groups have all the conveniences.
On February 9, Saksayam will monitor the operation of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and hold a teleconference with six airports under the Airports of Thailand to monitor the situation after Chinese package tourists start arriving.
The Aeronautical Radio of Thailand believes some 36,896 flights will arrive from China this year, double the number compared to last year.
Apart from Thailand, Chinese group tourists can also visit Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and New Zealand.
Huge temple complex in Saraburi promises spiritual peace to devotees
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Saraburi’s Wat Phra Buddha Sang Dham with its gigantic dome is expected to soon become popular among Bangkokians looking for a quick spiritual getaway.
The temple with a huge steel dome enshrines a 50-metre-tall white Buddha statue and is in Nong Khae district.
The construction of the temple, especially the gigantic dome, has drawn a great deal of criticism, with many questioning its grandeur.
Critics have also compared it to the Wat Phra Dhammakya built in Pathum Thani by the controversial Dhammakaya sect.
The sect has been accused by the Thai Buddhist authorities of spinning a “pay-your-way to nirvana” philosophy, which is denied by the temple.
The Wat Phra Buddha Sang Dham was built on a 300-rai (48 hectares) plot in 2012 with donations from devout Buddhists. Also enshrined in an adjoining wooden monastery are three white Buddha statues.
Fifth round of subsidies for domestic tourism begins next month: TAT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The timeline for the fifth phase of the government’s domestic-tourism promotion campaign – which provides subsidies to hoteliers and tourists to encourage travel – will run from early March till the end of April, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced on Friday.
The fifth phase of the “We Travel Together” campaign received Cabinet approval on Tuesday with a budget of 2.016 billion baht.
The government provides subsidies equivalent to 40% of room rates, capped at 3,600 baht per room per night, through the campaign. A total of 560,000 room subsidies will be available and each one will include a 600 baht voucher for tourists to buy food or services.
A tourist can receive no more than five room subsidies. Airfare is not included in the campaign.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn provided the following timeline for the latest phase of the campaign:
February 8-15: Registration opens for new hotel operators wishing to join the campaign.
March 8: Hotel reservations open to the public.
March 11: First day the subsidies begin.
April 27: Last day domestic tourists can reserve a hotel room.
April 30: End of phase 5.
Eligible candidates must be Thai nationals with a valid ID card and over 18. Registration can be made at: www.เราเที่ยวด้วยกัน.com and finalised through the Pao Tang application.
Petal power is drawing tourists to a field in Korat
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
A field with 20 types of chrysanthemums approaching full bloom is drawing tourists to Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district, local officials say.
The flowers spread over a six-rai field near Thai Samakkhi Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and more than 50% are in full bloom, they say.
Misty mornings and cool weather are also drawing visitors to the field in the northeastern province, which is also known as Korat.
Local officials are celebrating with a “Chrysanthemum Flowers in the Fog” festival that begins on February 5 and runs till the 25th. The entire field is expected to be in full bloom by Valentines’ Day, local officials say.
Thailand ranks #1 outbound destination for Chinese travellers: Airbnb
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2023
Within the country, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya are the most searched for destinations by China guests on Airbnb.
Following the easing of China’s pandemic measures and the reopening of cross-border travel, Chinese travellers are once again planning overseas trips and Thailand is their #1 preferred destination based on guest searches.
Recent Airbnb data shows that within 24 hours of the government’s announcement on 26 December 2022 to lift inbound quarantine requirements, Thailand ranked as the top most searched outbound destination amongst guests from China on Airbnb.
Their top 10 most searched outbound destinations were: 01.Thailand 02. United States 03. United Kingdom 04. Japan 05. Australia 06. Canada 07. Korea 08. France 09. Malaysia 10. Italy
City and beach destinations remain popular choices for Chinese travellers, with Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya being the most searched Thai destinations on Airbnb.
Among the more than 60 Categories of unique stays launched by Airbnb last year, the number of guests searching for historical homes, domes, boat houses and camping tents has also risen rapidly, becoming the most anticipated searches by Chinese users in 2023.
Notably this Chinese New Year, Thailand emerged as one of the most popular destinations globally for nights booked by China guests on Airbnb, once again alongside the United States and Japan.
“After more than two years of travel restrictions, the desire for international travel amongst Chinese guests is at an all-time high. With Thailand being one of the most popular destinations globally, it is no surprise that Chinese travellers have ranked it top of their list of places to visit,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
He added, “It’s extremely encouraging to see this surge in international travel interest amongst guests from China on Airbnb. As Thailand’s international tourism recovery continues to rebound, we will continue working with our Host community and the Tourism Authority of Thailand in China to welcome travellers safely and with the iconic hospitality that Thailand is renowned for. We will also continue to spotlight and drive travel interest to off-the-beaten-track destinations, and spread the benefits of tourism to more local neighbourhoods and businesses towards supporting a more inclusive tourism recovery.”
What comes to mind if you are planning to visit Thailand? Beautiful sea views, island hopping, or Tom Yum soup? Why not leave those ideas behind and try something fresh, such as an inland tour to discover a different Thailand?
In the South Thailand province of Surat Thani, you will experience another side of Thailand. Granted the name from King Rama IV, Surat Thani means “city of the good people”. Most Chinese tourists are fascinated by the province’s islands, such as Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
Few have explored Thailand’s amazing inland, which includes one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world – Khao Sok National Park – or the magnificent Buddhist temples in the Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, and boat trips along the rivers
For most travellers who arrive in Surat Thani by plane, the nearest site to explore will be the provincial centre. Located close to the sea, the provincial centre has countless small rivers connecting residences to the east Thailand Bay.
Taking a boat along the river, you can witness fishermen’s lives in the Bang Bai Mai community. Also known as “Nai Bang”, the community still lives in a simple way. In this area, hundreds of small canals flow into the Tapi river, which finally meets the ocean.
On a small wooden boat, you can see the mangrove nipa palm trees and coconut trees lined up on both sides of the canal. For animal lovers, the trip will provide a chance to closely observe local birds and water lizards.
“Nipa palm trees are important to us. The leaves can be used for wrapping sweets or making brooms. It can be also processed to make desserts,” a boatman told us.
Every Sunday, the sightseeing boat can also take you to Bang Bai Mai Market – an old floating market in Surat Thani known for a wide selection of local dishes and Thai snacks such as Toddy Palm Cake, Black Coconut Sweet Pudding, and Mango Sticky Rice.
The market is surrounded by greenery and a canal, which makes it stand out from other markets in the city. While the market offers plenty of food stalls, it’s a good choice to try the deep-fried banana blossom and the Thai curry puff, each priced at about 30 Bhat ($0.89).
After exploring the market, visitors can drop by a nearby coffee shop with outdoor seating next to the canal. A local cafe named Korjak sitting at the riverbank is one of the most popular choices with a forestlike atmosphere due to its lush surroundings.
As some travellers may be interested in local coconut products, Suan Lung Song is on the recommended list. It is a knowledge centre where people can learn every aspect of coconut farming. They can also experience making cold-pressed coconut oil and soap.
Tourists kayak up the stream in Ban Nam Rat Watershed Forest where they can explore lagoons and admire the lush jungle. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
National Park
Surrounded by one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world, Khao Sok National Park will impress you with its huge limestone mountains, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, exciting caves and wild animals.
Together with adjacent wildlife sanctuaries in Khlong Saeng, Khlong Yan and Khlong Naka, the combined area of the park is more than 3,500 square kilometres, making up an area more than half the size of Bali.
In the park, tourists can choose different ways to explore, such as personal elephant encounters, jungle trekking or canoeing. One of the most interesting areas is the beautiful Cheow Larn Lake in the heart of the national park, complete with floating raft houses and luxury tents.
On a limited budget, visitors have options to live in those small but cosy hotels or family stays at an acceptable price. It is convenient to book a tuk-tuk, the local motorcycle taxi, at the hotel to visit Cheow Larn Lake.
Among the Thai people, Cheow Larn Lake is famous for its landmark: three limestone peaks nicknamed mini Guilin. Guilin refers to the city in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which is known for its karst landforms and limestone peaks.
For travellers who are willing to explore wildlife, Khao Sok is unmissable.
Thailand boasts some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, and Khao Sok is one of them. Thanks to it being relatively unchanged over millions of years, Khao Sok has become a haven for a variety of birds, insects, reptiles and mammals.
According to the Khao Sok National Park’s official website, the park is home to 311 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, more than 30 species of bats, countless insects and reptiles, endangered tigers and an estimated 200 wild Asian elephants.
Moreover, there are around 200 species of plants per hectare in Khao Sok, with a combination of ginormous trees, trailing vines and exotic flowers. Some plants are unique to the rainforest. For example, the largest flower on Earth, rafflesia, can grow up to 90 centimetres in width.
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park consists a total of six pagodas in different shapes and colors from brick red to white and gold. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
Jungle exploration
Nearby the Khao Sok National Park, there are two sites with jungle experiences. About 40 minutes by car from the Cheow Larn Lake, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, especially in the early morning or evening with sunlight passing through the park’s front arch.
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park consists of a total of six pagodas in different shapes and colours from brick red to white and gold. The most impressive one to me is what local people called the “floating pagoda” with a small pond underneath it.
Both the pond and the pagoda are built on the top of a small mountain. Lotus and small fishes give the pond a sense of Zen. Religious text is written carefully in gold powder on the red bricks. Standing on the pagoda, an overhead view of the forest is an unforgettable moment.
After the soul baptism in the park, Ban Nam Rat Watershed Forest, which only takes 30 minutes by car, is a destination not to be missed. It offers crystal-clear waters of a flooded forest, consisting of a lake, various jungle canals and stunning lagoons.
“In the past, the forest used to be a small freshwater canal that looked like a peat swamp forest. This magical place, referred to as Khlong Rood by the locals, is a hidden gem and a true highlight of the region,” an officer from the forest ticket office said.
Limestone peaks stick out of the water in Cheow Larn Lake, which sits in the heart of Khao Sok National Park. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
The lake itself mirrors the various tree stumps and rocks that stick out of the surface, creating the illusion of no horizon. In the forest, visitors will see many species of plants, including water lilies, orchids and tropical pitcher plants.
You can kayak up the stream and explore breathtaking lagoons, surrounded by lush jungle greenery. You can have a fantastic end to the day by parking your kayak and taking a dip in the crystal-blue waters of the jungle among colourful fish.
Spectacular reservoir will remain a top spot to cool off during the hot season
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023
The Royal Irrigation Department on Sunday assured local residents and tourists that a popular destination near Bangkok, the Bang Phra Reservoir in Chonburi, will not run dry during the hot season.
The massive reservoir set amidst forests and rolling hills will remain at full capacity so visitors can cool off during the hot season, said Prapit Chanma, director-general of the department. The hot season has already begun in eastern Thailand, he added.
The department has worked with the Provincial Waterworks Authority and the Eastern Water Resources Development and Management agency to refill the reservoir in Si Racha district to its full capacity, Prapit said.
A number of large tourist facilities and industrial estates depend on water from the reservoir. As a result, the department has been working closely with its two partner agencies to maintain the reservoir’s level to ensure visitors can continue to use it.
After its level dropped to 112 million cubic metres in early October, the three agencies joined forces to begin diverting water into the reservoir from the Chayanuchit Canal and Bang Pakong River on November 1. It has recently been back to its full capacity, the department chief added.
“The Royal Irrigation Department would like to assure Chonburi residents that they will have plenty of water for use during the dry season. The Bang Phra Reservoir is full,” Prapit said.
The department expropriated land around the reservoir in 1972. It was built in 1975 and can hold 117 million cubic metres of water.
As the area around the reservoir became more fertile, it drew more wildlife, including deer, civets, slow lorises, and fishing cats. More than 130 species of birds now live in the area.
The reservoir rises as much as 35 metres above sea level. Its vast size, green embankments and surrounding hills provide spectacular views. The site is only an hour-and-a-half drive from Bangkok, making it a popular day trip for the capital’s residents. Many local residents visit daily for jogging, swimming and relaxation.
Chiang Mai elephant camp eagerly awaits return of Chinese tourists
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023
An elephant camp business in the northern city of Chiang Mai province is placing its hopes on the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand.
Wassana Thongsuk, an executive of Mae Taeng Elephant Park and Clinic in Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district, said on Thursday that her business had started to hire new employees after having had to lay off many staff during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
With the imminent return of Chinese tourists this year, Mae Taeng Elephant Park is looking for new staff to meet an expected increase in visitors, Wassana said.
She added that the elephants who were sent back to their owners during the Covid-19 crisis would be called back to cope with increased demand.
Chinese tourists accounted for as much as 80% of the elephant camp’s visitors before Covid-19 severely struck the Thai tourism industry in 2020, she said.
“The return of Chinese tourists will be good news for us. We are waiting for their return,” she said.
Wassana said that her elephant camp has received many tourists from Europe, Asia, and the United States after Thailand started to fully reopen to foreign visitors last year, but their numbers were still limited.
“The incomes [from those tourists] are still insufficient to keep the business running at full capacity. We still need tourists from China to get enough revenue to feed the elephants,” she said.
The expenditure on each elephant at the camp is 1,000 baht per day, or 30,000 baht per month, for food, medicines and other needs, she said.
She expected the country’s tourism situation to improve this year, although it would not be as good as the pre-Covid period.
On February 9, Saksayam will monitor the operation of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and hold a teleconference with six airports under the Airports of Thailand to monitor the situation after Chinese package tourists start arriving.
Apart from Thailand, Chinese group tourists can also visit Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and New Zealand.
Tourists kayak up the stream in Ban Nam Rat Watershed Forest where they can explore lagoons and admire the lush jungle. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park consists a total of six pagodas in different shapes and colors from brick red to white and gold. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
Limestone peaks stick out of the water in Cheow Larn Lake, which sits in the heart of Khao Sok National Park. (YANG WANLI / CHINA DAILY)
As the area around the reservoir became more fertile, it drew more wildlife, including deer, civets, slow lorises, and fishing cats. More than 130 species of birds now live in the area.
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