Foreign tourist numbers on course to hit 39 million next week

[ujayujay]

Yeah...39 million, if count the transit passengers too????

[Gee Ku]

What! Nobody believes the TAT? And dare to say it? TAT will get the Immigration to get at you! Then you will go whining with your tail between your legs!

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign tourist numbers on course to hit 39 million next week

Constant drivel from this bunch of idiots, they think if they keep telling the public eveything's ok then it will be okay. The word on the street is it's going down the pan!

[Nick33]

TAT and the Thai government must learn to listen to the people that they both 'apparently serve'. Every business in Thailand will tell you that the Baht is way overvalued but the government stumble blindly on without listening to the exporters or banking community. TAT keep telling us that tourist numbers are up as they jump from one foot to the other, claiming responsibility for the latest trend - Chinese one year, Indians the next. All down to the wonderful campaigns from TAT and their overblown staff. As many previous posters have said they do not separate expat incomings but many of these are down because of the constant persecution from immigration (TM30 et al) and the effect the exchange rates have on pensions. Never mind -they will keep coming is the Thai view. If TAT ever listened to the tourism professionals that they rely so heavily on - hotel GM's, tour operators, restaurant owners, etc. They should look at hotel occupancy in Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin. Gosh - all they have to do is walk around the town but then again they are all too busy in their ivory tower in Bangkok, patting each other on the back saying what a wonderful job they have all done this year. They work on the premise that if you say it enough times people will start to believe it! People come to Thailand for sun, sea and sand. The majesty of the Royal family. The spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Palaces. Arts and culture, the service industry. They do not come here because TAT tells them it is 'Amazing Thailand'! Wake up and smell the coffee.

[soalbundy]

7 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Perhaps they are going to more rural Thai villages which perhaps reflect the more authentic tourist experience?

Maybe they do not want tacky bars with lousy music, and working women and ladyboys.

Not to mention beaches covered in human and plastic waste

My village near Surin was voted the best village in Thailand, haven't seen one tourist here, we sometimes get a bus load of pu yai's to see how it's done but they only stay for one day.

They are in a panic, the Russians are going to save us, then it's the Indians, then it's a plea to immigration to show some discretion because we need the tourists money, now it doesn't matter because 39 million are swamping Thailand.

[zaZa9]

We are based in Phuket. Gfs business is down 40% on last year. My pals is down 30%. Our fave eateries are all down as well. If theyre here they must be eating at the markets and 7/11 and walking everywhere..

[crazykopite]

Last week was it was reported that tourism was way way down what an amazing turn around all within a week .

[Burma Bill]

what a load of:-

 

[randy723]

Why do you keep saying thing about how many tourist there are coming to Thailand because do not believe any of it and most of all we do not give a S***?

[Number 6]

Funny...39m.

 

I work in dead Central Bangkok. I'm always a bit surprised when I see tourists this last year or two. Sure this last month I've seen more than prior 11 but it's nothing.

 

Ive often found myself thinking...oh, wow lookkee a tourist.

 

It's arrivals not tourists. Most of those arrivals move on.

 

No idea if Cambodia and Vietnam can accommodate a380, 747 but I think close but not yet. Thai numbers will tumble.

[007 RED]

I’m not sure why Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) are making so much 'song and dance' about 39 million tourists arriving by the end of the year.  Quote ”the highest numbers in many years”.  This is complete, and utter, BS yet again by the Ministry of Silly Numbers.

 

In stating 39 million, they are actually admitting that the numbers are down by 1 million against last year (2018).  According to the Airports of Thailand Annual Air traffic Report for 2018 https://www.airportthai.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Annual-Airport-2018.pdf

 

The breakdown numbers of international arrivals for 2018 are as follows:

 

Suvarnabhumi   25,483,275

Don Mueang       7,923,731

Chiang Mai         1,352,824

Hat Yai                 179,323

Phuket               5,194,929

Chiang Rai             120,535

 

Total                40,254,617

 

NOTE:

 

1.....The above figures only relate to international arrivals at the six airports managed by AOT and do not include international passengers who transited through any one of the six airports managed by AOT.  International transit numbers are given separately.

 

2.....International arrival figures for Kho Samui and Hua Hin are available from separate providers and the total number of international arrivals at these airports combined was less than 60,000 during 2018.

 

3.....There is no way that AOT, or TAT, will know if the person arriving is arriving for the purpose of tourism or for any one of several other reasons e.g. Ex-Pat returning from vacation/visa run, offshore worker or even a Thai national returning home from working overseas.  They are all classed as international arrivals.

[007 RED]

2 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

these numbers are a hell of a lot lower than 39M (and more believable):

 

The figures provided above by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) only relate to individuals who booked their travel arrangements through one of their members here in Thailand.  There is no way that the ATTA are going to know numbers of people who booked their travel arrangements to Thailand via an overseas travel agent or their flights online direct with an airline.

 

See the figures that I have provided in the previous post (# 101) for international arrivals during 2018.

Edited December 21, 2019 by 007 RED
typo

[PEE TEE]

Not seen any in Samui they all must staying in in their hotels .my friend works in a big spar hardly any customers 

[Millcx]

22 hours ago, Mango Bob said:

One day tourist arrivals are down.  Next day they are breaking records off tourist arrivals.  Seem like a lot of fake news to me.

Tourists up ... 5555555

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, Xonax said:

If they arrive on a tourist visa or visa exempt, why shouldnt they be considered tourists?

A tourist is a person who is visiting a place for pleasure and interest, especially when they are on vacation.

 

I would hardly say they are tourists if they are in transit, e.g. changing flights, i.e. not visiting Thailand.

[Martinwatersave]

21 hours ago, Jessi said:

The only myth is coming out of TAT.

 

[Traubert]

1 hour ago, 007 RED said:

I’m not sure why Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) are making so much 'song and dance' about 39 million tourists arriving by the end of the year.  Quote ”the highest numbers in many years”.  This is complete, and utter, BS yet again by the Ministry of Silly Numbers.

 

In stating 39 million, they are actually admitting that the numbers are down by 1 million against last year (2018).  According to the Airports of Thailand Annual Air traffic Report for 2018 https://www.airportthai.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Annual-Airport-2018.pdf

 

The breakdown numbers of international arrivals for 2018 are as follows:

 

Suvarnabhumi   25,483,275

Don Mueang       7,923,731

Chiang Mai         1,352,824

Hat Yai                 179,323

Phuket               5,194,929

Chiang Rai             120,535

 

Total                40,254,617

 

NOTE:

 

1.....The above figures only relate to international arrivals at the six airports managed by AOT and do not include international passengers who transited through any one of the six airports managed by AOT.  International transit numbers are given separately.

 

2.....International arrival figures for Kho Samui and Hua Hin are available from separate providers and the total number of international arrivals at these airports combined was less than 60,000 during 2018.

 

3.....There is no way that AOT, or TAT, will know if the person arriving is arriving for the purpose of tourism or for any one of several other reasons e.g. Ex-Pat returning from vacation/visa run, offshore worker or even a Thai national returning home from working overseas.  They are all classed as international arrivals.

What about those who arrive overland or by sea?

[Martinwatersave]

Pattaya R.I.P. Friends went out last sat night to walking street and at 10pm it was deserted. Walked round for a while and got bored and came home early for beers on the balcony .

[soalbundy]

Must be just like Joseph and Maria, ''der is no room in da inn"

[sambum]

"They work on the premise that if you say it enough times people will start to believe it!"

 

Bang on! And they've been doing it for years! A few months ago, for the first time that I can remember (and I've been coming here for 20!), TAT actually admitted that the figures were down, and now, miraculously, they are back up again and better than ever before!

 

And as already stated in Post #103 above, I can confirm that they are not coming to Samui. I've never seen the bars and restaurants so quiet, and I believe the hotels are the same. Similar reports are coming from Phuket and Pattaya (Actually CONFIRMED by the Hoteliers Associations - down 30 to 40% according to some figures ), so I have no idea where TAT get their figures from. 

 

As Mark Twain was supposedly reported as saying there are "Lies, damned lies and statistics", and TAT seem to be masters of manipulating the figures. However, there is also another very old saying i.e. "the proof of the pudding is in the eating", and there aren't too many people about eating pudding in Thailand these days!

 

I for one am getting bored with seeing their smiling faces and placards on posts on here declaring that all is hunky dory, when "every man and his dog" (except TAT and the usual Thai apologists) seem to know that it is not!

 

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking Thailand - I love it here in spite of its faults (otherwise I wouldn't be living here!), but I do get frustrated by these articles of "false news"! 

 

[Columbus]

The world is not always what it seems. Anyone who's travelled could tell you that. This globe is filled with paradoxes and contradictions, with things that may or may not be real, with people who stretch the truth or attempt to deceive, with alternative facts and fake news.

 

Real tourists who take photos like the two shown proves the reality of the problem and facts. Bars, beaches, restaurants 90% empty, only the 7/11s are full with tourists. 

[Bundooman]

23 hours ago, Traubert said:

No. It's pretty simple. Airbnb and similar up massively, Indians and Chinese don't frequent the bars. Expats don't count for much even if they all left and came back on successive days three times a week. There isn't enough. Another TVF myth.

30 million odd people are in Airbnb?

Really? 

So, back to the question....Where are they all?

Hiding in their Airbnb?

Utter nonsense!

Another Thai myth......

[RJRS1301]

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

Must be just like Joseph and Maria, ''der is no room in da inn"

Plenty of room at the inn, but no one will pay "peak prices" for an empty place full of plastic waste

[Destiny1990]

All are saying its deadly calm in the touristic places.

Hotel association saying its 30-40% down and its looking grim.

TAT saying arrival numbers are up?

 

 

 

[Knocker33]

I would love them to see some evidence of these B. $ figures. Where's the ministry of fake news when you need them

[ianezy0]

21 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

And, at least, six out of the 39 million was yours truly... (You're welcome, TAT.)

If you choose to come here 6 times each year on a tourist visa then of course you will be included in the tourist count, regardless if you consider yourself living here.....

[Jaggg88]

wasn't it a coincidence the lucky winner came from the new country that Thailand is courting ????

[wwest5829]

I cannot question tourist arrivals as I do not have the documentation. i can report that Chiang mai Expats breakfasts have had lower attendance for what I am familiar with for this time of year over the last 6 years or so. of course most attendees are long term residents and their numbers are definitely down. I observe this is also true of the newcomers who attend, in part, to gain information about Chiang Mai and potential retirement in Chiang Mai. Currently, I am very cautious in recommending the latter.

[007 RED]

3 hours ago, Traubert said:

What about those who arrive overland or by sea?

A very valid point which makes TATs figures look even worse.

 

If they (TAT) say that 39 million people will have visited the kingdom by the end of this year, and their figures includes all arrivals by air, land and sea, then this is definitely a drop on the number of arrivals over last year. 

 

As I indicated in my post #101, Airport Of Thailand figures for 2018 indicated a total of 40.25 million international air arrivals.  If you then add the land and sea international arrivals (whatever they may be for 2018) to the international air arrivals, then the actual fall in the number of international arrivals year-on-year will be considerably more than I indicated in my original post e.g. greater than 1 million.

 

As I said, another set of ridiculous statistics produced by the Ministry of Silly Numbers (AKA TAT). 

[30la]

On 12/20/2019 at 3:39 PM, webfact said:

More than 38 million foreign tourists have visited Thailand since January 1 to December 20, the highest number in many years and the total is expected to hit 39 million on December 27, TAT public relations director Thanet Petchsuwan said.

Lies continue, who are you trying to conquer?
Khun Piphat or even the great General?