Thailand expects 300,000 tourists from China during Lunar New Year

 

Women stand to buy curios in front of a shop in Chinatown at Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2018. Picture taken February 4, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's tourism body expects 300,000 visitors from China during the Lunar New Year holidays, a nearly 18 percent rise from a year ago.

 

During the same holidays in 2017, the number of visitors from China was hit by a Thai government crackdown on budget tourism and the mourning period for the country's late king.

 

Tourism accounts for about 12 percent of gross domestic product in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, making it one of the most important drivers of growth. The biggest number of foreign visitors come from China.

 

Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year period, which this year begins on Feb. 15 and lasts until Feb. 21, will "generate about 8 billion baht ($253.9 million) in revenue", Santi Chudintra, a deputy governor at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) told reporters on Monday.

 

In 2017, about 255,000 Chinese tourists visited during the Lunar New Year.

 

Thailand's Tourism Ministry said last month it expected this year's tourist arrivals to hit a record 37.55 million, with 2.1 trillion baht spending.

 

Chinese tourists, who accounted for nearly one-third of last year's record 35 million arrivals, are expected to rise this year to around 10 million from 9.8 million.

 

Thailand has become increasingly popular with Chinese tourists in recent years. The country is also home to one of the world's largest ethnic Chinese communities.

 

In late 2016, Thailand launched a crackdown against "zero-dollar" package tours - an arrangement where tourists pay for everything upfront and in theory spend nothing while in the country. The tourism ministry said the campaign, which ended in 2017, was a success.

 

($1 = 31.51 baht)

 

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-2-5

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The tourism ministry said the campaign, which ended in 2017, was a success.

If they can come up with a campaign to keep the bloody Chinese out, Now that, I would consider a success! Even Thais are starting to work out that they are rude, loud, cheap, ignorant and have less manners than your average Soi dog.

32 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's tourism body expects 300,000 visitors from China during the Lunar New Year holidays, a nearly 18 percent rise from a year ago.

seems people here do not fully realize what this means to us residents in tourist areas; 

my friends and i are red-lining parts of our own towns as 'no-go' areas due to the unmannered chinese masses; 

one friend, mentioned an encounter where he had to shout at the chinese , elbowing to get into the 7-11; 100 meters from his house

I'm glad this year I can run out of Thailand during that period.

Another round of pumelling for what's left of the coral

Luckily I will be away for this period.

Thankful there isn't a Russian New Year.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Chinese tourists, who accounted for nearly one-third of last year's record 35 million arrivals, are expected to rise this year to around 10 million from 9.8 million.

Last week, we were reading that tourism was threatening to ruin this country's reputation as a place of beauty and peace, with overcrowded, litter-strewn beaches and with temples resembling Blackpool Pleasure Beach, BUT, now, it appears that the TAT is celebrating in advance of the expected increase of tourists, this year.

 

Why the hell is it so difficult - impossible, even - for the Junta juggernaut to make its mind up on pretty well any issue it attempts to tackle? Clueless, directionless, mindless . . . or just LESS, generally.

Edited February 6, 20188 yr by Ossy
omisson

2 hours ago, Ossy said:

Last week, we were reading that tourism was threatening to ruin this country's reputation as a place of beauty and peace, with overcrowded, litter-strewn beaches and with temples resembling Blackpool Pleasure Beach, BUT, now, it appears that the TAT is celebrating in advance of the expected increase of tourists, this year.

 

Why the hell is it so difficult - impossible, even - for the Junta juggernaut to make its mind up on pretty well any issue it attempts to tackle? Clueless, directionless, mindless . . . or just LESS, generally.

That was a comment that I felt like making ,you beat me to it.

TAT complain about too many tourists ...unless they are Chinese . Is 'er of TOT part Chinese I wonder.

The airports were struggling with normal levels of arrivals on Sunday - they'll be rivers of Chinese wee in the immigration halls over New Year

 

That's about 7500 coaches spewing forth diesel fumes even when the passengers are 1) in their hotels 2) being made to buy  tho GS in Chinese owned outlets or 3) being trooped up and down Walking Street or am alternative tourist hot spot.

Yep, about right Chinese in Brits out!

4 hours ago, Ossy said:

Last week, we were reading that tourism was threatening to ruin this country's reputation as a place of beauty and peace, with overcrowded, litter-strewn beaches and with temples resembling Blackpool Pleasure Beach, BUT, now, it appears that the TAT is celebrating in advance of the expected increase of tourists, this year.

 

Why the hell is it so difficult - impossible, even - for the Junta juggernaut to make its mind up on pretty well any issue it attempts to tackle? Clueless, directionless, mindless . . . or just LESS, generally.

and who was the writer of what we were reading? seen from the view of the government, TAT and some big shots there's nothing wrong with more tourists. clueless are those who think the junta is clueless.

12 minutes ago, Naam said:

and who was the writer of what we were reading? seen from the view of the government, TAT and some big shots there's nothing wrong with more tourists. clueless are those who think the junta is clueless.

May they all, the tourists, live in interesting times. ??

Edited February 6, 20188 yr by overherebc

8 billion baht of 300000 Chinese in 6 day's that's about 26000 baht or 4000 baht or day  seems like somebody day dreaming in government 

 

I wonder how many will go home in bodybags?

On 06/02/2018 at 8:34 PM, maxcorrigan said:

Yep, about right Chinese in Brits out!

Many left before the Chinese arrived.

 

 

oh dear !!....time to flee with the first Air Asia flight to anywhere.....

 

13 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

I wonder how many will go home in bodybags?

i too wonder and that gives me sleepless nights

On 2/6/2018 at 9:02 AM, mark01 said:

Luckily I will be away for this period.

Thankful there isn't a Russian New Year.

there is!

Quote

Russia was one of the few countries that refused to change to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 and continued to celebrate all its holidays as before. The Old New Year is celebrated on January 14.