Chinese tourists (and their habits) surge into Thailand

[handdrummer]

The Thai gooberment is trying to convince a couple of places that a port would be good for their businesses. So far the places (whose names I don't recall) are resisting. I'm sure the goobers will "convince" them.

[buksida]

TAT: Tepid growth for Chinese New Year
Thailand expects slow growth of foreign tourist arrivals during Chinese New Year, according to a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecast.

During the Chinese New Year festival from Jan 24 to 30 this year, some 1.01 million foreigners are forecast to visit the country, up 1.5% from the seven-day festival last year.

The outlook for revenue is 21.7 billion baht, growth of 1.6%.

For Chinese markets, the TAT expects to welcome 312,000 visitors with estimated revenue of 8.4 billion baht, both increases of 2%.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said growth will be limited because the continuing trade war with the US has weakened the yuan, while the baht remains strong.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... e-new-year

[buksida]

Officials mull visa-free entry for China market
Tourism officials are again proposing visa-free entry for Chinese citizens as part of a tourism revival scheme, following an estimation by the central bank that the economy may grow by less than 2% this year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the number of international tourist arrivals during Feb 1-9 fell by 43.4% year-on-year to 730,213 as the number of Chinese tourists plunged 86.6%.

Mr Phiphat said the Chinese market is likely to drop by 90% in February. But if the containment is effective and the Chinese government lifts its travel ban before the end of March, there's a strong possibility that mainland tourists will return during Songkran in April, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... ina-market

[HHTel]

So the Chinese who have suffered tremendously with whole cities being locked down. The majority, hopefully, will survive unscathed. You think there first thought would be a holiday in Thailand??

[buksida]

TAT appears to think so.

[oakdale160]

International arrivals dropping 43% and Chinese arrivals by 86%--those stats look believable.

[buksida]

Chinese tourists ready to break out
Chinese tourists expect to resume their travels in April as new coronavirus infections subside, while Thai tourism officials aim to apply a safety and health administration programme to help operators upgrade their ability to deal with the pandemic.

Outbound tour operators in China have informed partners in Thailand that two provinces, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, have lifted travel restrictions but citizens are likely to venture out within their own provinces first, said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Mr Yuthasak said operators in China expect most mainland residents to start taking domestic trips in April before resuming outbound trips later.

"This is the critical point we have to discuss," he said. "China has passed over 45 days of virus containment. Chinese tour operators are desperate to restart business. If at that time Thailand is still an unsafe place for travel, we'll lose the opportunity."

While the government prepares measures to cope with the spread of the coronavirus, the TAT will work with the private sector to prepare a safety and health administration programme.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... -break-out


These really are the people that Thailand desires and admires ...

Chinese woman on spitting spree in public transport arrested
A Chinese woman was arrested on Thursday (March 19) by officials after she was allegedly found spitting repeatedly inside a bus that she took from Bangkok to Saraburi before she rode a train to Bangkok and started spitting again.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation publicized a picture of officials in protective suit arresting the woman after responding to a complaint on social media that a Chinese woman was spitting in public transportation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384494

[buksida]

Looks like those Chinese hordes that Thailand loves so much won't be flooding back in a hurry after all ...

TAT: Chinese tourists still hindered
The Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) China office is tempering enthusiasm that many Chinese tourists will visit in the second half this year as travel restrictions ease, as low Chinese purchasing power for outbound trips persists and an uptick in new infections emerges in Beijing.

The surging unemployment rate of 6% or 27 million on the mainland remains a challenge as Thailand eagerly awaits its No.1 source market.

Lerdchai Wangtrakoondee, director of TAT's Shanghai office, said after temporarily adopting new hygienic practices for months, the situation in China is returning to normal, although outbound tour operators are still on ice.

He said the actual unemployment rate is expected to be more severe as the figures only count urban areas.

"Spending power is weak and the cost of travel will be higher because of lower capacity in tourism services, such in fewer flight seats, so Thai tourism operators should be aware the market will be hobbled for some time," said Mr Lerdchai.

He said Thailand will face tough competition from rivals eager to lure Chinese tourists back, led by the Maldives, which plans to lift travel restrictions to all nationalities in July.

Singapore already opened its border to Chinese business travellers early this month.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/19 ... l-hindered

Hint: ask your billionaire leaders to devalue the baht ....

[buksida]

Two quotes from Khaosod English:

Former Deputy PM Chaturon Chaisang warned on Tuesday Thailand could face another COVID-19 outbreak if there's no screening of Chinese tourists. Chaturom posted the warning on FB after the government insists it will treat Chinese tourists just like those from other countries.

Chaturon argues that there's a lack of sufficient understanding of the various COVID-19 strains in China and that China has been isolated for a long time. "We must not be careless and prepare for all scenarios," he wrote.

*****

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul said on Tuesday there will be no special screening of Chinese tourists entering Thailand, adding we shouldn’t compare Thailand to other countries with less capabilities to handle COVID-19. The minister made the remark after a meeting of medical experts. He said the Department of Communicable Diseases will keep a close eye on the situation, however.

[jumusman]

Two quotes from Khaosod English:

Former Deputy PM Chaturon Chaisang warned on Tuesday Thailand could face another COVID-19 outbreak if there's no screening of Chinese tourists. Chaturom posted the warning on FB after the government insists it will treat Chinese tourists just like those from other countries.

Chaturon argues that there's a lack of sufficient understanding of the various COVID-19 strains in China and that China has been isolated for a long time. "We must not be careless and prepare for all scenarios," he wrote.

*****

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul said on Tuesday there will be no special screening of Chinese tourists entering Thailand, adding we shouldn’t compare Thailand to other countries with less capabilities to handle COVID-19. The minister made the remark after a meeting of medical experts. He said the Department of Communicable Diseases will keep a close eye on the situation, however.

Ha ha, translation.... "We miss Chinese money"....Keep those pockets full Health Minister, keep those pockets full....

[HHTel]

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul

A guy with zero medical qualifications and zero experience. And he's considered an authority on the subject!!!!

TIT.

[buksida]

Loads of articles today about the butt-kissing and bending backward to welcome the Chinese hoards (that climb over their temples, trample on the coral, thieve the marine life, and generally disrespect the place.) Haven't seen Thailand doing any of that sucking up to any other nationalities (which they fleeced with insurance scams, covid tests, and quarantine hotels).

They're also happy for them to buy up the place: https://www.bangkokpost.com/property/24 ... ls-in-2022

[Suua]

Can you imagine their response if there were thousands of 'westeners' arriving from a country where the virus was running out of control......a different story 100%
Criminal that the infected hoards aren't being tested on arrival.

[hhinner]

Can you imagine their response if there were thousands of 'westeners' arriving from a country where the virus was running out of control......a different story 100%
Criminal that the infected hoards aren't being tested on arrival.

You mean like those coming from UK, Russia, etc?

[Dannie Boy]

Can you imagine their response if there were thousands of 'westeners' arriving from a country where the virus was running out of control......a different story 100%
Criminal that the infected hoards aren't being tested on arrival.

You mean like those coming from UK, Russia, etc?

One of the main differences is that the majority travelling from the U.K. have been double, treble, quadruple vaccinated (with highly recognised effective vaccines) - the same can’t be said for those travelling from China!!