Thai Ministers Welcome First Groups of Chinese Tourists

[webfact]

 

SAMUT PRAKAN, (TNA) – Three ministers have welcomed the first group of Chinese tourists, arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday as the government revokes the requirement for foreign arrivals to show proof of Covid -19 vaccination.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Saksayam Chidchob Transport Minister were present at the airport to welcome Chinese tourists after China reopened its border on Sunday. The first flight, carrying 286 passengers to Thailand arrived from Xiamen at around 1 p.m.

 

Later this afternoon, China Southern Airlines Flight CZ3081 from Guangzhou will also arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1091064

 

-- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-01-10

 

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[StayinThailand2much]

Yawn, plenty of Chinese tour groups in New Zealand, and many Chinese tourists in Australia, e.g. Blue Mountains, two months ago... Why did it take them that long to arrive in Thailand?

[nigelforbes]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yawn, plenty of Chinese tour groups in New Zealand, and many Chinese tourists in Australia, e.g. Blue Mountains, two months ago... Why did it take them that long to arrive in Thailand?

Lack of scheduled flights apparently

[Gknrd]

Haha, not a mask in sight. Propoganda machine is in high swing.  

[Shop mak]

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

 

Chinese mostly spend money in chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and chinese owned shops.

Very little of their money goes to any business owned by a Thai.

 

"Welcomed by 3 Ministers, and given gift"

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

Each arriving Chinese tourist, including kids were serenaded, given a thai welcome bag....wonder if other arriving tourists felt left out... 

[ezzra]

Just show you the extend of Thailand's kowtowing to China, but actually 2 types of Chinese has arrived, one are human the other are rapidly spreading disease also Chinese...

[Orinoco]

Chinese to the left.

Any dirty Falang to the right.

Thank you for your cooperation.  

[Gknrd]

This is going to be interesting to watch. 

[ThailandRyan]

I wonder if the blue gift bag each was given had a mask, an ATK test kit and a discount coupon for medical treatment if positive.......asking for my pet water monitor lizard.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Three ministers have welcomed the first group of Chinese tourists, arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday as the government revokes the requirement for foreign arrivals to show proof of Covid -19 vaccination.

Why openly confirm desperation...?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yawn, plenty of Chinese tour groups in New Zealand, and many Chinese tourists in Australia, e.g. Blue Mountains, two months ago... Why did it take them that long to arrive in Thailand?

Same old attractions... it's not like they're going to see any changes from 3 years ago.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Why openly confirm desperation...?

Desperation as in it being sung to the Heinz Ketchup Anticipation song? I agree...it's keeping me waiting....

[phetphet]

Wouldn't it be ironic if one or all those welcoming Ministers caught Covid from those arriving tourists?

[nigelforbes]

16 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Desperation as in it being sung to the Heinz Ketchup Anticipation song? I agree...it's keeping me waiting....

 

[freedomnow]

Get yir noses right up there and smell the zero dollar tours and back-door takeover of viceland. ????

[MRToMRT]

We are saved!!

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Get yir noses right up there and smell the zero dollar tours and back-door takeover of viceland. ????

I saw the debacle on TV last night and it appeared a few of the group minders had their posts with a flag on top so the group knew who to follow...zero dollar tours appear to be back....the shrimp buffets are squeeling with delight...

[freedomnow]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

I saw the debacle on TV last night and it appeared a few of the group minders had their posts with a flag on top so the group knew who to follow...zero dollar tours appear to be back....the shrimp buffets are squeeling with delight...

They'll need to get a 24-hour guard team for Chiang Mai moat or they will use it to take a dump again or swimming...or both - 1 after the other.

[Thailand]

Good to see Thailand back in business, too many people lost jobs over the past few years.

Even zero dollar tours provide employment for local hotel staff, drivers etc.

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, Shop mak said:

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

 

Chinese mostly spend money in chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and chinese owned shops.

Very little of their money goes to any business owned by a Thai.

 

"Welcomed by 3 Ministers, and given gift"

 

 

 

The links between the governing class, and the "Chinese Thai" business community are strong, and lucrative.

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, Shop mak said:

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

 

Chinese mostly spend money in chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and chinese owned shops.

Very little of their money goes to any business owned by a Thai.

 

"Welcomed by 3 Ministers, and given gift"

 

 

 

The links between the governing class, and the "Chinese Thai" business community are strong, and lucrative.

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

The links between the governing class, and the "Chinese Thai" business community are strong, and lucrative.

Ergo why Anutin bought the Sinovac from them and not the other vaccines. Also why the Chinese Triads have a strong foothold here as well.....

[newnative]

4 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Yawn, plenty of Chinese tour groups in New Zealand, and many Chinese tourists in Australia, e.g. Blue Mountains, two months ago... Why did it take them that long to arrive in Thailand?

Some of those tour groups may have been from Taiwan.  My partner and I ran into several tour groups from Taiwan on our December trip to Europe.

[newnative]

29 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Good to see Thailand back in business, too many people lost jobs over the past few years.

Even zero dollar tours provide employment for local hotel staff, drivers etc.

The majority of Chinese tourists in 2019 were independent travelers, not in tour groups.  Whether traveling independently or in groups, they spent over 500 billion baht in Thailand--not exactly 'zero dollar'--and more than any other country.

[newnative]

2 hours ago, Shop mak said:

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

 

Chinese mostly spend money in chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and chinese owned shops.

Very little of their money goes to any business owned by a Thai.

 

"Welcomed by 3 Ministers, and given gift"

 

 

 

     This is a persistent myth that is false and with no basis in fact.  In 2019, the majority of Chinese tourists were independent travelers and not in tour groups, budget or otherwise.  Whether traveling independently or in a tour, they spent over 500 billion baht in Thailand, the most of any country, and most of that was not spent in 'chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and chinese owned shops'.

[Gknrd]

Just got into Soul, From BKK.  Announcement on the plane, all Chinese to be tested before could continue. When I was a leaving the plane two large groups were being swept away. I never saw them again.  Also all passengers were made to show their itinerary and where they came from. If coming from or had visited China. You were pulled out of line and taken away.

One exchange would not exchange Thai baht for local currency? I was a little surprised. I thought Thai Baht was a sort after currency in Asia. Finally found one that would exchange.  Hassle.

And the announcement on the plane they clearly stated it was because China was in the mist of a Covid outbreak. 

So much for the Zero Covid policy.. 

Edited January 11, 2023 by Gknrd

[Salerno]

On 1/10/2023 at 10:10 AM, Shop mak said:

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thai-resort-welcomes-1st-quarantine-free-tourists-in-over-a-year

https://thepattayanews.com/2022/12/29/400-russian-tourists-arrive-in-rayong-welcomed-with-water-cannon-salute/

[fusion58]

On 1/10/2023 at 6:10 AM, Shop mak said:

When, if ever did any foreign tourist or expat get a similar grand welcome to Thailand?

That was my question as well.

 

The boot licking is not a good look, Thailand!