Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012; Targets 24.5M In 2013

[lemoncake]

khunken

"Yes they do spend money - you are correct. The scepticism arises when they set a target & meet it exactly."

Thats just normal politics same any country! But I would still say the figure would be close when you see just 8 countries are nearly half the arrivals

Numbers could even double if they included all the illegal migrants and those crossing not at the borders.

[ozziebloke]

Lemoncake

what does spending money have to do with distinguishing between genuine tourists, business people, visa runners?

The headline was "Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012;" And any visitor needs to spend money once they enter the Kingdom!</p>

This thread is NOT about how much money tourism makes or brings but about number of people entering the country.

Again yes the headline is "Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012" And the reason for the headline is Arrivals equate to income for the the Kingdom !! I didn't say it was accurate I just said it would near be accurate, Given that 8 countries go close to half the total out of approxamately 190 countries of the world

[lemoncake]

Lemoncake

what does spending money have to do with distinguishing between genuine tourists, business people, visa runners?

The headline was "Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012;" And any visitor needs to spend money once they enter the Kingdom!</p>

This thread is NOT about how much money tourism makes or brings but about number of people entering the country.

Again yes the headline is "Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012" And the reason for the headline is Arrivals equate to income for the the Kingdom !! I didn't say it was accurate I just said it would near be accurate, Given that 8 countries go close to half the total out of approxamately 190 countries of the world

AGAIN, money spent or income has nothing to do with number of people in this case, as this thread is about number of people not amount of money spent or received

[chooka]

Many foreigners are known to come again and again in Thailand.

Not to be confused with arriving.

[ozziebloke]

Lemoncake

AGAIN, money spent or income has nothing to do with number of people in this case, as this thread is about number of people not amount of money spent or received

OK if you want to be pedantic! the headline stated ";Thailand Records 22.3M Visitor Arrivals In 2012;" And I said that 8 countries out of approxamately 190 countries made up about Half the total. And I stated that it would be near close to the figure of arrivals. I just added on that arrivals equate to income to the Kingdom

[tingtongtourist]

I can recall back in 2003 or so, when Thailand had 14 million visitors. Malaysia was historically the highest represented - border travel. Now TAT is reporting 22 million!

Back in 2003, Chinese and Russians were blips. Now they are top visitors.

Here in Bangkok, the wife and I like to pop in Khaoman Gai Pratunaam, when we pass that district at night for their classic dish. We took an informal count - over the past year we have eaten there 16 times. EVERY time, we shared a table (as is the norm at this packed joint) with Chinese tourists. Some from HK, and some from Taiwan, but most from mainland China. Behind us last night was a table of Russian tourists. Food quality remains stable, thank God.

It is interesting to think about how more tourists affects daily life in a country.

Thai's English skills remain abysmal, for example.

what a funny coincidence..the thai word for "come here" and the English word "money" do sound nearly the same

[edwinchester]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

[ginjag]

I think arrivals means persons entering the kingdom !!!! The figures are put out to make as much publicity as possible. All persons being transits, migrants, tourists, workers, visa kick outs,passing through,persons entering swampy and going on asia tour and returning to swampy to fly out again,countless doing duty free crossings, There is no one that can give anyactual split on these types of entries. the numbers maybe correct but sod all to do with tourists as a true figure.

This coming year targets another rise in what ?????? holiday makers--GET REAL.

[ozziebloke]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

Iv'e tried to find the figure of expats living in Thailand and the best I can find is around 250,000 and that would make the % 0.0113636. Even if it was 500,000 it would be only 0.023%

[Minnehaha]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

Iv'e tried to find the figure of expats living in Thailand and the best I can find is around 250,000 and that would make the % 0.0113636. Even if it was 500,000 it would be only 0.023%

would you consider revealing your math? I agree with you on order of magnitude. I recall a publication stating there were 50, 000 Japanese and they were the largest represented foreign national. I always wondered.

Interesting ....

[metisdead]

An inflamatory post has been removed. A troll baiting post has been removed as well as the replies.

[lemoncake]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

Iv'e tried to find the figure of expats living in Thailand and the best I can find is around 250,000 and that would make the % 0.0113636. Even if it was 500,000 it would be only 0.023%

Actually multiply by 4 not double, because expats do 3 months runs(some) then also keep in mind all those on Tourist Visa's who are counted as tourists by doing new tourist visa run every 2-3 months, then consider all those doing 15 day border runs, plus all those whose visa expired 15 years ago along with their passports(yes they do exist, i have met a few in BKK, without a citizenship, visa or anything really-insane)

so the 250 000 now turn into 1000 000(+) of tourist numbers making up 4%-5% even assuming that the 22million is a correct number

[waza]

How confusing...............

"The highlight of the results was the fact that six countries, five of which are within the Asia Pacific region, are now producing more than one million annual visitor arrivals. These are Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea, India and Russia."

That means 21.3 million "total arrivals by nationality" came for other countries. Maybe they meant each? That would leave 18 million other arrivals.

"

Visitors from East Asia totalled 12,502,194 (+20.84%), Europe 5,617,817 (+10.12%), the Americas 1,080,148 (+13.40%), South Asia 1,289,641 (+11.36%), Oceania 1,046,753 (+12.13%), Middle East 604,659 (+0.58%) and Africa 161,853 (+17.36%)."

"By this year, two source-markets, China (2.7 million) and Malaysia (2.5 million) are now generating more than two million annual arrivals each

nd two source-markets, Japan (1.3 million) and Korea (1.1 million)

........

Russia is the largest source market from Europe with arrivals of 1,317,387, up 24.97%.........

India has become a top of the list from South Asian market with arrivals up by 11.03% to 1,015,865,"

That mean that the European arrivals out numbered the Russian by at least 5 to 1 and the American at least equalled the Russians. I thought everyone was complaining about the mass influx of Russian tourist?

But wait the article then states.......

[Buchholz]

To lend an air of credibility to these TAT numbers, I think they should run a more reliable ABAC Poll to verify them.

.

[lemoncake]

To lend an air of credibility to these TAT numbers, I think they should run a more reliable ABAC Poll to verify them.

.

[lizardtongue]

As Glegolo pointed out is equate to roughly 61,000 arrivals a day every day for a year I like many others am highly suspicious about the figures banded about by Gov. officials, however having had the benefit of a quick Wikipedia search it appears that the airport is capable of handling more than 40,000,000 a year.

That is not to say that I believe the figures, all I am saying is that it is possible by virtue of the fact that Suvarnabhumi can handle 22+ million passengers with ease.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suvarnabhumi_Airport#Capacity

[waza]

As Glegolo pointed out is equate to roughly 61,000 arrivals a day every day for a year I like many others am highly suspicious about the figures banded about by Gov. officials, however having had the benefit of a quick Wikipedia search it appears that the airport is capable of handling more than 40,000,000 a year.

That is not to say that I believe the figures, all I am saying is that it is possible by virtue of the fact that Suvarnabhumi can handle 22+ million passengers with ease.

http://en.wikipedia....irport#Capacity

Most are transit passengers

The $4 billion airport, ( Suvarnabhumi airport )which opened in September 2006 on what was once flooded marshland known as "cobra swamp", is expected to serve about 51 million passengers in AOT's fiscal year ending in September 2012, up from 48 million a year earlier and above annual capacity put at 45 million now, Anirut said.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/bangkoks-struggling-airport-to-get-19-billion-upgrade-20120601-1zlnf.html#ixzz2JHl14WeH

[Ian Curtis]

Many foreigners are known to come again and again in Thailand.

I know of one

Many foreigners are known to come again and again in Thailand.

I know of one - anyone else know of any?

[IsaanUSA]

Sorry guys, count me as three arrivals last month. Transit to Burma, transit to Vietnam, and then an actual stay in Thailand.

Immigration was great. "Excuse me sir, how long will you be staying in Thailand?" "My flight to Vietnam leaves in about an hour"

[brianP]

Over 15 years i have watched the #'s of tourists visiting going up. Word of mouth and all the TV and movies that showcase Thailand around the world..

Now i am seeing a much greater amount of tourists staying permanently, rather than bringing their new loves home, they are settling here.

What does it mean??

[lemoncake]

Over 15 years i have watched the #'s of tourists visiting going up. Word of mouth and all the TV and movies that showcase Thailand around the world..

Now i am seeing a much greater amount of tourists staying permanently, rather than bringing their new loves home, they are settling here.

What does it mean??

it means that its cheaper to stay here then to bring the loved one back, not to mention less chance of being fleeced by the loved one here than back home

[madmitch]

Over 15 years i have watched the #'s of tourists visiting going up. Word of mouth and all the TV and movies that showcase Thailand around the world..

Now i am seeing a much greater amount of tourists staying permanently, rather than bringing their new loves home, they are settling here.

What does it mean??

It means they haven't been reading all the negative posts on Thai Visa, enough to put anyone off staying in Thailand.

On a more serious note, does anyone know where to find the nationality breakdown of arrivals from, say, three or four years ago. It would be interesting to see just how the demographic has changed.

[kimamey]

I can recall back in 2003 or so, when Thailand had 14 million visitors. Malaysia was historically the highest represented - border travel. Now TAT is reporting 22 million!

Back in 2003, Chinese and Russians were blips. Now they are top visitors.

Here in Bangkok, the wife and I like to pop in Khaoman Gai Pratunaam, when we pass that district at night for their classic dish. We took an informal count - over the past year we have eaten there 16 times. EVERY time, we shared a table (as is the norm at this packed joint) with Chinese tourists. Some from HK, and some from Taiwan, but most from mainland China. Behind us last night was a table of Russian tourists. Food quality remains stable, thank God.

It is interesting to think about how more tourists affects daily life in a country.

Thai's English skills remain abysmal, for example.

They don't need English skills if visitors are coming from China; they need Chinese skills.

UK and USA get lots of tourists but I don't see any great non-English language skills in those countries either.

I think it's a sad fact that English speakers tend not to need to speak other languages since many others learn English so well. It does create a laziness sometimes.

[ozziebloke]

As Glegolo pointed out is equate to roughly 61,000 arrivals a day every day for a year I like many others am highly suspicious about the figures banded about by Gov. officials, however having had the benefit of a quick Wikipedia search it appears that the airport is capable of handling more than 40,000,000 a year.

That is not to say that I believe the figures, all I am saying is that it is possible by virtue of the fact that Suvarnabhumi can handle 22+ million passengers with ease.

http://en.wikipedia....irport#Capacity

Not all the 22,000,000 came through Suvarnabhumi

[ozziebloke]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

Iv'e tried to find the figure of expats living in Thailand and the best I can find is around 250,000 and that would make the % 0.0113636. Even if it was 500,000 it would be only 0.023%

Actually multiply by 4 not double, because expats do 3 months runs(some) then also keep in mind all those on Tourist Visa's who are counted as tourists by doing new tourist visa run every 2-3 months, then consider all those doing 15 day border runs, plus all those whose visa expired 15 years ago along with their passports(yes they do exist, i have met a few in BKK, without a citizenship, visa or anything really-insane)

so the 250 000 now turn into 1000 000(+) of tourist numbers making up 4%-5% even assuming that the 22million is a correct number

Not 100% of expats need to do border runs every three months! 1,000,000 of 22,000,000 is only 2.2% where do you equate the other 1.8% - 2.8%

[BradinAsia]

Over 15 years i have watched the #'s of tourists visiting going up. Word of mouth and all the TV and movies that showcase Thailand around the world..

Now i am seeing a much greater amount of tourists staying permanently, rather than bringing their new loves home, they are settling here.

What does it mean??

It means they haven't been reading all the negative posts on Thai Visa, enough to put anyone off staying in Thailand.

On a more serious note, does anyone know where to find the nationality breakdown of arrivals from, say, three or four years ago. It would be interesting to see just how the demographic has changed.

Speaking of demographics...

I have no idea what the tourist arrival numbers were 12-15 years ago, but the popular sex-tourism areas (Nana, Cowboy, Patpong, Pattaya and Phuket) seemed to be doing a good business. In recent years, bar/club owners in those areas are complaining that business is slow even during "high" season. In the last 1-2 years, on visits to Chatuchak market, Grand Palace, and the large shopping malls, I was stunned by the huge number of Western couples and families with children. At times, I had the feeling I was in N.Y, London or Paris, and not Bangkok.

Could it be, as the poster suggests, that the big change has been in demographics? -- fewer sex tourists (for whatever reason) and more and more families.

If this is true, is it not a very positive change?

[ozziebloke]

What % of that 22 million is "resident" farangs popping over the border on visa runs? It must be a fair amount, surely?

I was wondering too if my four border hops count as four different visitors. I would wager yes.

Iv'e tried to find the figure of expats living in Thailand and the best I can find is around 250,000 and that would make the % 0.0113636. Even if it was 500,000 it would be only 0.023%

would you consider revealing your math? I agree with you on order of magnitude. I recall a publication stating there were 50, 000 Japanese and they were the largest represented foreign national. I always wondered.

Interesting ....

I couldn't find any official or other stats just reading from different articles and the usual guestimate was around 250,000. But to make any serious differnce by expats to the figure they would have to be in the millions

[lemoncake]

Not 100% of expats need to do border runs every three months! 1,000,000 of 22,000,000 is only 2.2% where do you equate the other 1.8% - 2.8%

2.2 million is 10% of 22million so what would 1 million be? perhaps half of 10%?

[ozziebloke]

Not 100% of expats need to do border runs every three months! 1,000,000 of 22,000,000 is only 2.2% where do you equate the other 1.8% - 2.8%

2.2 million is 10% of 22million so what would 1 million be? perhaps half of 10%?

Sorry your correct about 2.2 mil but like i said not 100% of expats do border runs every 3 months. Your an expat, How many border runs do you do each year ?

[lemoncake]

Not 100% of expats need to do border runs every three months! 1,000,000 of 22,000,000 is only 2.2% where do you equate the other 1.8% - 2.8%

2.2 million is 10% of 22million so what would 1 million be? perhaps half of 10%?

Sorry your correct about 2.2 mil but like i said not 100% of expats do border runs every 3 months. Your an expat, How many border runs do you do each year ?

i never said all do, i said some do, and those with TR visa do something like 6, and then those who also travel for business, plus the 15 day visa runners.

I do not do any, because i am on extension, so only need to report, but have left the country twice last year