Indian tourist influx in Thailand surpasses expectations due to visa exemptions

[webfact]

 

A significant influx of Indian tourists has been recorded in Thailand, reaching an impressive 1.5 million so far this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This figure surpasses the authority’s initial target, thanks to a newly introduced visa exemption scheme for Indian travellers.

TAT’s Executive Director of ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Region, Patsee Permvongsenee, disclosed that the visa exemption, which went into effect on November 10 this year and will last until May 10, next year, has led to a daily increase in Indian arrivals. This number has risen from 4,000 people to a bracket of 5,000-5,500 individuals.

 

To further enhance the flow of tourists from India, TAT’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai have intensified promotional campaigns in partnership with local stakeholders. These campaigns primarily target corporate and incentive groups, golfers, and wedding and honeymoon groups, identified as high-potential demographics. Patsee made this announcement during a special ceremony honouring the inaugural flight of Air India from New Delhi to Phuket.

Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, along with TAT executives, officials from Phuket airport, government agencies, and private firms were present to welcome Indian visitors aboard flight AI378. Starting from the day of the event, Air India will operate four flights per week on the New Delhi-Phuket route.

The airline will deploy an A320 Neo Airbus, with a capacity of 162 passengers per flight, for this route.

 

Photo of Mitch Connor

PHOTO: via vietnam plus

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-16

 

- 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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[ezzra]

Now we're going to hear many more stories of Pattaya/Indian tourist/Transgenders encounters/ loss of gold...

[Gsxrnz]

Is clipping errant Indian pedestrians with your side-mirrors an official sport yet?

[jacko45k]

2 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Is clipping errant Indian pedestrians with your side-mirrors an official sport yet?

Coincidence, I had to dodge around a group of 4 in the middle of the road just yesterday. 

[Gsxrnz]

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Coincidence, I had to dodge around a group of 4 in the middle of the road just yesterday. 

Is dodging an option?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

Now we're going to hear many more stories of Pattaya/Indian tourist/Transgenders encounters/ loss of gold...

Quite a few over the festive period I suspect.

[Nickcage49]

I'm sure the ladyboys on Beach Road in Pattaya are thrilled about this visa exemption. More gold to steal...

[Kenny Boy]

Any good news ?

[expat_4_life]

I'm not a fan of so many tourists, no matter where they originate ... can I just time travel back to the 80's when the country had a mere 2 million?

The dependence on tourism has transformed the economy in ways that are acutely obvious when one looks at the wreckage of the Covid years, shuttered shops, bankruptcies, island/resort ghost towns and at least a temporary migration back to the rural areas.

The increasing surge of tourists has also done untold environmental damage and demolished the "Thai" way of life.  What were once idyllic islands, fisherman villages and pristine beaches have been transformed into condos, hotels, shopping malls, traffic jams, the list goes on.

Saddened to reflect back on the very things that attracted me to Thailand long ago and realize they are gone forever

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

I'm not a fan of so many tourists, no matter where they originate ... can I just time travel back to the 80's when the country had a mere 2 million?

And the place emptied out after high season and was quite pleasant.......

I should have known better when making the decision to retire in a touristy area, but just didn't realize they would need to pack them in so tight!

[mikebell]

India could just ban all its male tourists (90%) from exporting gold ornaments.

[daveAustin]

16 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

I'm not a fan of so many tourists, no matter where they originate ... can I just time travel back to the 80's when the country had a mere 2 million?

The dependence on tourism has transformed the economy in ways that are acutely obvious when one looks at the wreckage of the Covid years, shuttered shops, bankruptcies, island/resort ghost towns and at least a temporary migration back to the rural areas.

The increasing surge of tourists has also done untold environmental damage and demolished the "Thai" way of life.  What were once idyllic islands, fisherman villages and pristine beaches have been transformed into condos, hotels, shopping malls, traffic jams, the list goes on.

Saddened to reflect back on the very things that attracted me to Thailand long ago and realize they are gone forever

That’s the effect humanity has on the world in general. We all need to go I’m afraid. But yes it would be nice to have it as it was and for most people to stay in their own backyard… esp the high populace countries. 

[stoner]

19 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

I'm sure the ladyboys on Beach Road in Pattaya are thrilled about this visa exemption. More gold to steal...

 

supply and demand :)

[Barnet1900]

17 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

I'm not a fan of so many tourists, no matter where they originate ... can I just time travel back to the 80's when the country had a mere 2 million?

The dependence on tourism has transformed the economy in ways that are acutely obvious when one looks at the wreckage of the Covid years, shuttered shops, bankruptcies, island/resort ghost towns and at least a temporary migration back to the rural areas.

The increasing surge of tourists has also done untold environmental damage and demolished the "Thai" way of life.  What were once idyllic islands, fisherman villages and pristine beaches have been transformed into condos, hotels, shopping malls, traffic jams, the list goes on.

Saddened to reflect back on the very things that attracted me to Thailand long ago and realize they are gone forever

Agreed wholeheartedly in regards to how it's ruined Thailand.

 

The people that have ruined it however are the natives. Their way if life was very quickly swapped for the opportunity to get rich quick from tourism. They continue to build and overdevelop and they have no regard for nature or tradition.

 

I don't really take note of where the tourists come from. To me, the worst invaders by far are actually the Bangkokians when they travel anywhere. 

[CDG931]

 

This is good news,

Way better than Chinese tourists

[2baht]

On 12/16/2023 at 9:59 AM, jacko45k said:

Coincidence, I had to dodge around a group of 4 in the middle of the road just yesterday. 

1 bottle of beer, 4 straws???

[ukrules]

It's not surprising, people hate paperwork.

 

People also hate dealing with the officious self important loathsome embassy staff who seem to work at all embassies around the world including my own.

 

No visa requirement = massive increases in the number of people who come.

 

I don't go to places where I need to go to an embassy to get a visa any more - those days of kissing the embassys ass and following all sorts of rules / disclosing personal information are long gone for me.

 

If it needs a visa then I don't go unless I can get it online and print it out myself - like Cambodia, simple.

 

The one exception for me is Thailand where I have decided to live, I've got a very long term Thailand Elite membership, which requires minimum fuss, I applied for it online, paid with the bank app and I'm good until 2040.

Edited December 20, 2023 by ukrules

[mokwit]

I wonder how many will go back?

[ashkale]

All of them, indian economy/salaries are way better now and working illegally /overstaying is unlikely to happen in Thailand & Malaysia. Infact i know a lot of workers from India in Malaysia who have gone back for better prospects in India during the last few years. The visa exemption isnt done without a reason.

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, ashkale said:

All of them, indian economy/salaries are way better now and working illegally /overstaying is unlikely to happen in Thailand & Malaysia. Infact i know a lot of workers from India in Malaysia who have gone back for better prospects in India during the last few years. The visa exemption isnt done without a reason.

No, not all of them. That is ridiculous.  I suspect those opening businesses in town will not. There is no shortage in that respect. 

[ashkale]

Agreed, what i meant was overstaying and illegally working in Thailand/Malaysia isnt as attractive to Indians as before.