Doubts over Thai target of 8.2 million Chinese visitors in 2024

[webfact]

 

Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year. This comes as predictions for overall foreign arrivals next year have been downscaled, amidst concerns over a sluggish global economy.

 

Kasem Prunratanamala, who leads research at CGS-CIMB Securities in Thailand, stated that while the firm has kept its estimation of 27 million arrivals for this year, the prediction for next year has been reduced from 36 million to 32 million. This is in spite of a visa exemption scheme for Chinese visitors, which has been in effect since September 25 this year and will continue until February 29 next year.

 

However, the average daily arrivals from China since last month have only been approximately 9,500, a noticeable decrease compared to the 2019 daily average of 30,123. To date, around 3 million Chinese visitors have visited Thailand this year.

“With the shooting incident at Siam Paragon in early October, we believe it is unlikely for Thailand to see a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the fourth quarter,” remarked Kasem, following a meeting with TAT Deputy Governor Nithee Seeprae.

 

Last month, Chinese visitors to Thailand numbered 285,000 which constituted 33% of the 852,000 arrivals recorded in the same period in 2019.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo: EPA-EFE

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-29

 

- 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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[stoner]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

“With the shooting incident at Siam Paragon in early October, we believe it is unlikely for Thailand to see a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the fourth quarter,”

 

ok milli vanilli

[2baht]

The Centre of the Universe has moved! 

[terryofcrete]

[Smokey and the Bandit]

I wonder if TAT will lose 'face' over this?

[Laughing Gravy]

I am sure the TAT will come up with some excuse as they always do. The only thing they are good for is their comedy value.

[spidermike007]

"With the shooting incident at Siam Paragon in early October, we believe it is unlikely for Thailand to see a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the fourth quarter,” remarked Kasem, following a meeting with TAT Deputy Governor Nithee Seeprae.

 

Always an excuse, never a willingness to take responsibility and admit that perhaps Thailand's doing something wrong, perhaps there's policy that can be improved, perhaps a reduction in luxury taxes might attract more wealthy tourists. Always deflection, always denial, always blame, on something outside of us. 

 

 

This process will not be reversed until the authorities wake up and make some sacrifices such as lowering luxury taxes, lowering wine taxes, cleaning up the air, making the highways safer, allowing more private air travel, helicopter travel, high-speed trains and alternatives to the totally choked and extremely hazardous highways. 

 

[shackleton]

The Thai tourist board always find ways of producing high tourist numbers especially from China 

Need to get the Crystal 🔮  ball out for 2024 

[wensiensheng]

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

"With the shooting incident at Siam Paragon in early October, we believe it is unlikely for Thailand to see a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the fourth quarter,” remarked Kasem, following a meeting with TAT Deputy Governor Nithee Seeprae.

 

Always an excuse, never a willingness to take responsibility and admit that perhaps Thailand's doing something wrong, perhaps there's policy that can be improved, perhaps a reduction in luxury taxes might attract more wealthy tourists. Always deflection, always denial, always blame, on something outside of us. 

 

 

This process will not be reversed until the authorities wake up and make some sacrifices such as lowering luxury taxes, lowering wine taxes, cleaning up the air, making the highways safer, allowing more private air travel, helicopter travel, high-speed trains and alternatives to the totally choked and extremely hazardous highways. 

 

 

[wensiensheng]

Just now, wensiensheng said:

 

Never mind, opening bars which are downright dives, until 4am will do a lot to bring in more family groups and high end tourists. They flock to those sorts of places in the early hours of the morning /s

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year. This comes as predictions for overall foreign arrivals next year have been downscaled, amidst concerns over a sluggish global economy.

TAT's targets are manifestly over-rated.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“With the shooting incident at Siam Paragon in early October, we believe it is unlikely for Thailand to see a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in the fourth quarter,” remarked Kasem, following a meeting with TAT Deputy Governor Nithee Seeprae

When will Thailand or in particular TAT grasp that the domestic situation in Chinas is the main reason for them staying away from Thailand.

Only very small percentage are worried about accidents, deaths, drownings, or even abductions.. 

Those who wish to travel a looking beyond Thailand which in the last two or three decades has not changed it's attractions.

 

[Skeptic7]

Well pretty much everyone that's been here more than a minute is dubious of anything TAT (or any government agency) spouts off about. 

[hotchilli]

16 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Never mind, opening bars which are downright dives, until 4am will do a lot to bring in more family groups and high end tourists. They flock to those sorts of places in the early hours of the morning /s

Of course, the "family friendly" jewel in the crown open to 4am so the kids can take in more of Thailands renowned culture.

[Mavideol]

17 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Never mind, opening bars which are downright dives, until 4am will do a lot to bring in more family groups and high end tourists. They flock to those sorts of places in the early hours of the morning /s

they did say their main reason to do so, opening til 4 am, was to increase tourism... it appears the majority of tourists come to Thailand because the bars are open til 4 am......... amazing TAT  555

[stoner]

39 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand's doing something wrong

 

visited nai harn beach for the first time a few weeks ago. absolutely beautiful....until it isn't.

 

the infrastructure etc surrounding the beach area is appalling. with the amount of money that pours into phuket there is zero excuse... but as you point out.  

 

 

[billd766]

36 minutes ago, shackleton said:

The Thai tourist board always find ways of producing high tourist numbers especially from China 

Need to get the Crystal 🔮  ball out for 2024 

I think that their crystal ball is long overdue a full service, tune up and recalibration.

 

If that doesn't work, then chuck it away and but a new one, but NOT from Lazada, and definitely not from China.

[Paul Henry]

More dart board numbers from TAT. At least they are consistant always wrong.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This comes as predictions for overall foreign arrivals next year have been downscaled, amidst concerns over a sluggish global economy.

What is beyond TAT's control is the state of the Chinese economy that makes free/extended visas and enhanced visit assistance almost irrelevant. For example among many:

• "China’s economy is in trouble. Here’s what’s gone wrong" Analysis by Laura He, CNN, August 23, 2023
• "Is China's economy a 'ticking time bomb'?" Published BBC.com 30 August 2023

TAT needs to further diversify tourism sources aligned with current healthy economies, albeit few at this time. There are few 'golden geese' currently worldwide that might provide quick Thai economic recovery involving tourism. Other sources are the historical economic GDP bedrock Services and Exports that (to me ) were supplanted by PM Prayut's almost decade focus instead on Chinese tourism.  

 

 

[AustinRacing]

Yes they always target tourists. For fleecing them. 

[Nabby]

Hocking, spitting, screaming, shouting, snot-blasting, littering hordes. Stay in China!

[Millcx]

Chinese agents already cancelling flights .. No reason to go to Thailand with 

[spidermike007]

54 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

visited nai harn beach for the first time a few weeks ago. absolutely beautiful....until it isn't.

 

the infrastructure etc surrounding the beach area is appalling. with the amount of money that pours into phuket there is zero excuse... but as you point out.  

 

 

 

I think the headmen of many villages, the mayors of many cities, and the governors of many provinces tend to become like Hoover vacuums once they get elected, sucking in everything they possibly can from within as great a periphery as possible, thereby leaving very little to spend on infrastructure and improvements. 

[Phuket Pete]

Perhaps Chinese Parents don't want their kids to get hooked on the constant stench of Cannabis, as they can be executed for using it in China !

[stoner]

17 minutes ago, Phuket Pete said:

Perhaps Chinese Parents don't want their kids to get hooked on the constant stench of Cannabis, as they can be executed for using it in China !

 

please educate us ignorant people who are unaware what getting hooked on the stench of cannabis means ? and can one seriously be executed in china for being hooked on the stench of cannabis ? 

 

i think we need @liverpool lou for this one.

[Dexxter]

2 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

 

"It is forbidden to defecate casually. This is Singapore!"

Nothing beats a little bit of casual defecation.

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year.

Heretics, Apostates, Infidels

[ChipButty]

Wasn't it on here a couple of days ago the Chinese airlines cancelling flights, another flu epidemic on it's way we don't want them here 

[thailand49]

Doubt!  That is being extremely kind!😂

[Muzzique]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Analysts have expressed doubts over the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ambitious target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese visitors next year.

 

Didn't see that coming. Thailand has done an excellent job in scaring the Chinese to death about what will happen to them if they do come. Thailand is no longer a tourism powerhouse with all the scams and rip offs, and TAT is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.