There has been a significant rise in online searches for Thailand in China, since both countries signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement. Google Trends is reporting a 7-fold increase in searches for “Thailand tourism” in China.

 

But, so far, this ‘searching’ hasn’t resulted in a sudden rise in actual Chinese tourists although a surge is expected in the lead up to the Chinese New Celebrations, especially in Phuket and parts of Bangkok where the CNY is widely celebrated.

 

The two-way visa waiver agreement recently signed by both countries comes into effect on March 1 and is widely expected to boost tourism in both directions. The pact is also being seen as a sign of growing ties, both economic and cultural, between Beijing and Bangkok.

 

By Peter Roche

 

Full story: PhuketGO 2024-01-31

 

- 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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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

But, so far, this ‘searching’ hasn’t resulted in a sudden rise in actual Chinese tourists

That's because the online searches are for crime, pollution, police corruption and organ harvesting ....

2 hours ago, webfact said:

There has been a significant rise in online searches for Thailand in China

Searches mean nothing.

Didn't think Google was available in China. "Online searches" could mean anything. Scams? Getting laid? Where to buy weed? Best bars?

And EverGrand being liquidated never hit the news.

1 hour ago, bradiston said:

Didn't think Google was available in China. "Online searches" could mean anything. Scams? Getting laid? Where to buy weed? Best bars?

 

It's a miracle!

Quote

Google's Internet mail service, Gmail, and Chrome and Google-based search inquiries have not been available to mainland China users since 2014.

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_China

 

Does Google Trends include China?

 

Google Search says: "Insights that are validated “worldwide” do not include the following countries: China, Iran, and North Korea..." - Guess, TAT story writers don't know that...

13 hours ago, webfact said:

But, so far, this ‘searching’ hasn’t resulted in a sudden rise in actual Chinese tourists although a surge is expected

 

Golden week starts Feb 09, runs to Feb 17 for the entire country.  There are also tens of millions of teachers and university students that will have 5 weeks of vacation for spring break.