Thailand Boosts Tourism with Unique Loy Krathong Celebration at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[webfact]

 

On November 24, 2023, Suvarnabhumi Airport witnessed a unique event aimed at stimulating tourism. Led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai, Chief of Immigration Police, alongside his deputy, the team organized a special celebration for the Loy Krathong festival at the airport's passenger terminal. Pol. Col. Chaiyaron Rimphadi, Commander of Immigration Division 2, welcomed officials and staff who participated in the event.

 

Pol. Col. Chaiyaron explained that following the Prime Minister's policy to boost domestic tourism, Thailand has eased visa requirements for tourists from China, India, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan, reported Siam Rath.

 

This initiative, part of a broader strategy to increase tourist arrivals and generate revenue, involves various measures to streamline immigration procedures while ensuring national security. 

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

During the Loy Krathong festival, from November 24 to 28, 2023, the immigration office expects over 50,000 tourists per day.

 

To manage this influx, several steps have been taken, including deploying additional staff at major airports like Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai.

 

These measures ensure efficient processing, aiming to clear passengers within 30 minutes and reduce passport control time to under 45 seconds per person.

 

Moreover, Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthipol distributed ready-made meals and beverages to boost staff morale. He also handed out small Loy Krathong festival candles as souvenirs to international tourists, adding a festive touch to their arrival in Thailand during this celebrated festival.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-11-25

 

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[webfact]

Thailand Prepares for Over 200,000 Tourists During Loy Krathong Festival

 

 

In anticipation of Thailand's famous Loy Krathong festival, the Immigration Bureau has mobilized a substantial force to facilitate immigration procedures and bolster security measures.

 

On November 24, 2023, Police Lieutenant General Itthiphol Itthisarnranachai, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, presided over the deployment of personnel at Suvarnabhumi Airport, highlighting the government's readiness to welcome a surge of tourists, reported INN.

 

Picture: INN

 

Lt. Gen. Itthiphol emphasized that this operation aligns with the government's policy to stimulate the economy by easing visa requirements, including the implementation of visa-free entries for tourists.

 

This initiative is expected to attract around 50,000 tourists daily from November 24 to 28, during the Loy Krathong festival. 

 

Picture: INN

 

Significant preparations have been made at major airports across the country, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai airports. Over 150 additional officers have been deployed to Suvarnabhumi Airport to manage the increased passenger flow, aiming to clear any congestion within 30 minutes.

 

Furthermore, the Immigration Bureau has also arranged for volunteers at Suvarnabhumi Airport to assist travelers with document preparation and guidance, ensuring a smooth and efficient immigration process. As a gesture of appreciation and encouragement, Lt. Gen. Itthiphol distributed food and drinks to the officers, along with special krathong-shaped candles as souvenirs for foreign tourists participating in the festival.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-11-25

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[sungod]

The biggest celebration would be for him to get his people in the passport booths and reduce the massive queues.

[hotchilli]

Maybe have the welcoming party wearing less gold braid and badges.. why not try some festive apparel and garlands being handed out.

[Nigeone]

6 hours ago, sungod said:

The biggest celebration would be for him to get his people in the passport booths and reduce the massive queues.

To be fair came into Suvarnabhumi on the 14 November to be faced with the worst queues I had ever seen over the25 years coming here. Groaned and felt it was going to take ages. But looking around all the booths were in use and in around 15 mins was through despite being on of the last in the main large queue. No complaints and also the baggage arrived very quickly with no wait in baggage hall. Well done Thai immigration .

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Lt. Gen. Itthiphol distributed food and drinks to the officers

So the officers will have lunch during arrivals...

[madmitch]

They seem to imply that tourists visit Thailand specifically For The Loy Krathong festival. They don't, it's just getting to the start of high season, that's all 

[khunjeff]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

During the Loy Krathong festival, from November 24 to 28, 2023, the immigration office expects over 50,000 tourists per day.

 

Thailand has averaged over 50,000 foreign arrivals per day for all of 2023, so I have no idea what they're talking about.

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1423617/monthly-foreign-tourist-arrivals-thailand/

[HappyExpat57]

Yes, a heavy Thai police presence has ALWAYS been a strong tourist draw.

 

These knobs really don't get it, do they?

[it is what it is]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

They seem to imply that tourists visit Thailand specifically For The Loy Krathong festival. They don't, it's just getting to the start of high season, that's all 

 

This initiative is expected to attract around 50,000 tourists daily from November 24 to 28

 

agree. also, it's shockingly written as no context is given for the, twice mentioned, '50,000 tourists'. e.g. how does this compare to a normal day?

who writes this stuff? who sub edits this stuff? why do such shockingly written articles keep getting posted here? why does no one notice how badly written it is?

Edited November 25, 2023 by it is what it is

[timendres]

5 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yes, a heavy Thai police presence has ALWAYS been a strong tourist draw.

 

These knobs really don't get it, do they?

 

Being met at the airport by a mob of uniformed police is the start of my fantasy vacation.

[fondue zoo]

 

 

 

maybe.

 

[hotchilli]

On 11/25/2023 at 3:18 PM, madmitch said:

They seem to imply that tourists visit Thailand specifically For The Loy Krathong festival. They don't, it's just getting to the start of high season, that's all 

TAT's unique vision.

[MangoKorat]

So you boost tourism by providing a 'unique celebration' aimed at people who have already bought their ticket and are arriving in Thailand????????????

[MangoKorat]

On 11/25/2023 at 12:32 AM, webfact said:

As a gesture of appreciation and encouragement, Lt. Gen. Itthiphol distributed food and drinks to the officers, along with special krathong-shaped candles as souvenirs for foreign tourists participating in the festival.

I'd bet my last baht that 99.9% of the tourists arriving have never heard of Loy Krathong never mind 'participating in the festival'.

[fondue zoo]

I just tell friends it's Thai ritual magic, with a dash of animism and pollution.

It's fun.

 

 

_{* I don't really know, it just stops the questions.} 

[SiSePuede419]

Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthipol handed out small Loy Krathong festival candles as souvenirs to international tourists, adding a festive touch to their arrival in Thailand during this celebrated festival.

 

Light a candle, curse the glare. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[SiSePuede419]

6 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

I just tell friends it's Thai ritual magic, with a dash of animism and pollution.

It's fun.

Actually it's originally an Indian tradition that celebrates the Merchants leaving India in little boats with only candles (no whale oil, apparently) for the distant and exotic places like Sri Lanka and "Southeast Asia" for ahem "trading".

 

Yeah, right that's the ticket.

 

In order words the Bollywood version of the movie Hangover (I'm paraphrasing here). 😄

 

Edited November 27, 2023 by SiSePuede419