92% rise in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand: Minister

[webfact]

92% Rise In Chinese Tourists Visiting Thailand: Minister
By Khaosod online


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Premier Li Keqiang

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports says the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand has increased by 98% compared with last year.

3.7 million Chinese tourists has already visited the kingdom this year, and the total number of visiting Chinese would top 5.5 million by the end of the year, said Tourism and Sports Minister, Somsak Pureesrisak

The Chinese visitors have also generated 150 billion baht for Thailand in the first 9 months.Mr. Somsak said that the Ministry should expand the strategy of Thai-Chinese cooperation even further, citing the economic importance of the Chinese.

In 2009, 0.777 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand. The number then gradually increased up to 92.93% to over 2 million in 2012. Quantitatively, number of Chinese tourists compared to other nationals increases from 5.49% in 2009 to 19.03% in 2013.

In 2009, Chinese tourists generated THB 22 million, and THB 106 billion in 2012. From January to September this year, Chinese tourists alone generated 147 billion, increasing from 4.32% in 2009 to 17.28% in 2013.

Statistic also showed that the majority of Chinese tourists are female, and preferred to travel on their own. 62.31% of Chinese tourists said they came to Thailand for the first time, and 87.08% indicated that they travelled by plane.

A Chinese tourism movie, ‘Lost in Thailand’, also contributed to the growing numbers of Chinese visitors, official said.

Despite the slowdown in Group Touring from Chinese Tourism Companies, officials believed that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand should grow gradually and reach 5.5 million people by the end of this year.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has also hosted the visit of the Premier of the People′s Republic, Mr. Li Keqiang, who toured Thailand on 11-13 October.

The visit has concluded in a number of bilateral agreements, particularly on trades and transport. The two nations also vowed to promote strong ties.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1UYzJORGsxTlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-15

[soi41]

As the Chinese tourists tend to do everything in group, I guess that means we can expect orgies in Pattaya ??

[NongKhaiKid]

The Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming. Quick build a high-speed railway !

[Noistar]

There are lies, damned lies, statistics and I would propose government statements

[pomchop]

And yet all over Thailand most hotels have zero Chinese speaking staff, zero room service menus, restaurant menus or anything else printed in Chinese.

Memo to Hotels: Not all Chinese speak English or Thai. If you want to increase your Chinese business and revenues HIRE SOME staff that can actually communicate with your guests.

Friend of mine is 23 y.o. very personable Chinese girl who speaks reads writes Thai, English and of course Chinese. She sent out resumes asking for interview for entry level position to about ten hotels in Chiang Rai to include all of the "deluxe" ones like Dusit etc. NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE.

When I asked at front desk of Dusit if they had anyone who could speak Chinese was told NO. Same with the other major hotels.

Chinese are now the biggest numbers of tourists to Thailand and they have barely even begun to flow into Thailand. Many Chinese have plenty of money and do not want to be led around by a tour guide and prefer to travel alone but don't speak English or Thai. A smart hotel General Manager would get ahead of the curve and make his/her hotel CHINESE language friendly.

[planetdweller]

The Chinese are considered the rudest among international tourists. Not a racist opinion , it is a fact and surveys and studies confirm it.

They may have money , but the hospitality trades are to be forewarned of some of the behavior.

[cheshiremusicman]

The Chinese are considered the rudest among international tourists. Not a racist opinion , it is a fact and surveys and studies confirm it.

They may have money , but the hospitality trades are to be forewarned of some of the behavior.

Don't forget the 'Koreans' they rate pretty highly on this scale as well, particularly when they are on the golf courses. I was in Malaysia last year on a 4 week golfing tour and I can't remember how many clubs had notices saying 'No Koreans'.

[Local Drunk]

The Chinese are considered the rudest among international tourists. Not a racist opinion , it is a fact and surveys and studies confirm it.

They may have money , but the hospitality trades are to be forewarned of some of the behavior.

Any Thais I've asked have told me that they do not care for the tourists from mainland China. It seems to be that it's ok (tolerable) if someone from the west acts out, but it's inexcusable for another Asian to come to Thailand and act like they are God.

[mancub]

"Statistic also showed that the majority of Chinese tourists are female, and preferred to travel on their own."

Surely that can't be accurate , can it ????

[Local Drunk]

"Statistic also showed that the majority of Chinese tourists are female, and preferred to travel on their own."

Surely that can't be accurate , can it ????

Ask that taxi driver in Phuket...

[gemini81]

"Statistic also showed that the majority of Chinese tourists are female, and preferred to travel on their own."

Surely that can't be accurate , can it ????

No, just look around; loud and rude group tour guests with big camera lenses and clothes which don't match, trying to pretend they're from some world class dynasty.

[Local Drunk]

I teach engineering students on Saturday and marketing students on Sunday. I asked them both the same question over the past weekend: What do you think of the mainland Chinese tourists? Their response was, and I shall paraphrase, "They are like pigs with a little bit of money."

Edited October 15, 2013 by Local Drunk

[slapout]

The term, generate income as a tourist, is somewhat confusing to this old farm boy. Are you saying the Chinse toruist spent this amount or the Thai hosts to these tourist put this much into circulation? The half dozen I have met and visited with over the past 2 or 3 months (female, 20's) were all from Hong Kong, and very concerned about getting the most out of every dollar spent.

The concern for cost that I was questioned about, went from tuk tuk price to the tourist traps (elephant camp, tiger/monkey farms, temple tours,, meals, etc) to the cheapest guest house avaliable. Their average stay seemed to be about 5 to 7 days and the street markets that CM has on weekends was their first priority. I seriously doubt that these tourist spent more than 3000 baht per day, which seemed to be about what they all had as a upper budget limit.

Maybe I have been associating/visiting with the low end Chinese tourist, if so, I will give them credit for their wardrobes being above their station in life.

[rfukata]

with all these Chinese tourists arriving in droves & a proposition for visa waiver, wouldn't it be a good case study to implement

the so called tourist insurance using China as a model? 5.5 million pax arrival for 2013..they will easily top the list for mishaps

for sure.

[webfact]

Thai tourism to feel the pinch from China’s new regulations
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 15 – China’s revised law on tourism, which took effect October 1, could reduce the number of Chinese visitors to Thailand, a senior Thai official in Kunming said Monday.

Chamaiporn Chuecharoen, director of the Thai Trade Center in Kunming, said the new regulations on outbound tourism prohibit tour operators from arranging unfair cheap packages such as zero-dollar tours or extra stops for shopping.

The new law will possibly compel tour operators to increase the prices of their packages and deter some tourists from travelling overseas, she said.

However, a survey by a Chinese tourism agency found that 70 per cent of mainland visitors prefer to travel independently and less than 30 per cent choose tour packages.

Some tour operators in China have changed their strategy by offering individually-arranged trips and providing service on air tickets, land transport and accommodation, she said.

Ms Chamaiporn quoted a report from the Tourism Authority of Thailand as saying that China remained the biggest tourism market for Thailand with 3.22 million mainland visitors to the kingdom in the first eight months of this year – an 88.42 per cent increase year-on-year.

A move to revoke visa requirements for travellers of both countries would attract more visitors, she said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-15

[Thaddeus]

"Statistic also showed that the majority of Chinese tourists are female, and preferred to travel on their own."

Surely that can't be accurate , can it ????

No, just look around; loud and rude group tour guests with big camera lenses and clothes which don't match, trying to pretend they're from some world class dynasty.

You mean they are Minging?

[GlobalCtzn]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

[tominbkk]

That headline sounds like a nightmare to me!

[kuiburi]

Pandora's box opened when the russian and chinese borders opened .

[planetdweller]

The Chinese are considered the rudest among international tourists. Not a racist opinion , it is a fact and surveys and studies confirm it.

They may have money , but the hospitality trades are to be forewarned of some of the behavior.

Any Thais I've asked have told me that they do not care for the tourists from mainland China. It seems to be that it's ok (tolerable) if someone from the west acts out, but it's inexcusable for another Asian to come to Thailand and act like they are God.

Well, that may be due to how tight they are with money and how little they tip in establishments that expect it ( hotels , restaurants , bars ) as compared to , say US , Canadian or European tourists.

Again, not an intentional racist statement and I would not be able to independently confirm or deny, not being employed in hospitality. However , this is the general word on the street.

I believe the Thais can put up with some obnoxious behavior from falangs and such , if they are , at least , compensated somewhat. Alot of it has to do with age and station in life. There are many "cheap charlie" falangs , mostly younger and less well-to-do. Not my opinion , these are generally considered factual demographic trends and it is understandable to me if Thais wanted to tell obnoxious tourists of any stripe to go pound sand.

Treat a Thai with respect and it is 100% possible you will be treated with respect in return. Treat them badly , in their own country , and you may regret having done so , as revenge is sometimes a dish best served cold.

[planetdweller]

That is not quite as flattering a picture of Yingluck as I am used to. She looks very stiff and conservative. Buy maybe she always looks that way and I have not been aware.

[planetdweller]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

Interesting and sad that falangs are noted for being easy to fleece , but I think you are right about this. The Chinese are a much more difficult mark , as it is inherent in their DNA to come out financially on top in all business dealings , not matter the origin. Look at how much US debt they hold. Having been in high-tech procurement for most of my working years , I can tell you that the Chinese are the least likely to negotiate a 50-50 deal. They want to come out ahead and will blatantly manipulate the business activity to accomplish this. Not my opinion or not based on a racist mentality , it has simply been my business experience with them.

[planetdweller]

I like that model ship they are admiring. I have a collection of these at home but nothing that comes close to that.

[bigbamboo]

So the 20 per cent high end tourist target has been dropped then? If 150 billion generated by 3.7million tourists was the mien then TAT would barely achieve half it's projected revenue target. That would suggest the Chinese are distinctly low end.

[Thai at Heart]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

Interesting and sad that falangs are noted for being easy to fleece , but I think you are right about this. The Chinese are a much more difficult mark , as it is inherent in their DNA to come out financially on top in all business dealings , not matter the origin. Look at how much US debt they hold. Having been in high-tech procurement for most of my working years , I can tell you that the Chinese are the least likely to negotiate a 50-50 deal. They want to come out ahead and will blatantly manipulate the business activity to accomplish this. Not my opinion or not based on a racist mentality , it has simply been my business experience with them.

I wouldn't quite equate Greenspan and bernanke turning on the printing presses to inflate the us economy with a Chinese tourist haggling over a jet ski hire.

By the way. Who holds the majority of USD debt as a whole, not as single individual entireties?

USA based institutions such as social security and pension fund. Yes the Chinese and the Japanese hold a lot, but of course, Americans hold a lot too.

[hawker9000]

More chinese. Oh, wonderful.

[gemini81]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

Interesting and sad that falangs are noted for being easy to fleece , but I think you are right about this. The Chinese are a much more difficult mark , as it is inherent in their DNA to come out financially on top in all business dealings , not matter the origin. Look at how much US debt they hold. Having been in high-tech procurement for most of my working years , I can tell you that the Chinese are the least likely to negotiate a 50-50 deal. They want to come out ahead and will blatantly manipulate the business activity to accomplish this. Not my opinion or not based on a racist mentality , it has simply been my business experience with them.

I wouldn't quite equate Greenspan and bernanke turning on the printing presses to inflate the us economy with a Chinese tourist haggling over a jet ski hire.

By the way. Who holds the majority of USD debt as a whole, not as single individual entireties?

USA based institutions such as social security and pension fund. Yes the Chinese and the Japanese hold a lot, but of course, Americans hold a lot too.

Why not? The zionists control the world banks, dictate what to do to governments, and the chinese holding much debt are also deciding what decisions are to be made. Your post is really indecisive. IMF and world banks along with china hold all the debt. Both groups are money and power hungry, same cesspool of swindling and cheating and scamming for personal benefits, its in the records and it is simply the fact.

[khunPer]

Earlier this year, the news from The Nation at TV mentioned 10 mio. Chineese tourists coming this year, so the number of Chineese tourist it must be 50% down?

[Local Drunk]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

Interesting and sad that falangs are noted for being easy to fleece , but I think you are right about this. The Chinese are a much more difficult mark , as it is inherent in their DNA to come out financially on top in all business dealings , not matter the origin. Look at how much US debt they hold. Having been in high-tech procurement for most of my working years , I can tell you that the Chinese are the least likely to negotiate a 50-50 deal. They want to come out ahead and will blatantly manipulate the business activity to accomplish this. Not my opinion or not based on a racist mentality , it has simply been my business experience with them.

I wouldn't quite equate Greenspan and bernanke turning on the printing presses to inflate the us economy with a Chinese tourist haggling over a jet ski hire.

By the way. Who holds the majority of USD debt as a whole, not as single individual entireties?

USA based institutions such as social security and pension fund. Yes the Chinese and the Japanese hold a lot, but of course, Americans hold a lot too.

Why not? The zionists control the world banks, dictate what to do to governments, and the chinese holding much debt are also deciding what decisions are to be made. Your post is really indecisive. IMF and world banks along with china hold all the debt. Both groups are money and power hungry, same cesspool of swindling and cheating and scamming for personal benefits, its in the records and it is simply the fac

"The zionists" Please explain that comment...

[Thai at Heart]

They are in Chiang Mai in huge numbers. The one aspect I dislike most about that is that they are very incompetent riding motorbikes and pose a daily menace to me in that way. They stop in intersections to open and look at maps. They unexpectedly u-turn on one way streets, and in general drive like clueless rubes. A tourist policeman I know tells me that Chinese tourists involved in accidents on motorbikes is a daily occurrence and out of hand. I think we are on the leading edge of a total Chinese invasion over the coming 10 years. They are already buying businesses and land etc in CM and jumping in with both feet. They will not be as easy to fleece as the farang that came before them.................

Interesting and sad that falangs are noted for being easy to fleece , but I think you are right about this. The Chinese are a much more difficult mark , as it is inherent in their DNA to come out financially on top in all business dealings , not matter the origin. Look at how much US debt they hold. Having been in high-tech procurement for most of my working years , I can tell you that the Chinese are the least likely to negotiate a 50-50 deal. They want to come out ahead and will blatantly manipulate the business activity to accomplish this. Not my opinion or not based on a racist mentality , it has simply been my business experience with them.

I wouldn't quite equate Greenspan and bernanke turning on the printing presses to inflate the us economy with a Chinese tourist haggling over a jet ski hire.

By the way. Who holds the majority of USD debt as a whole, not as single individual entireties?

USA based institutions such as social security and pension fund. Yes the Chinese and the Japanese hold a lot, but of course, Americans hold a lot too.

Why not? The zionists control the world banks, dictate what to do to governments, and the chinese holding much debt are also deciding what decisions are to be made. Your post is really indecisive. IMF and world banks along with china hold all the debt. Both groups are money and power hungry, same cesspool of swindling and cheating and scamming for personal benefits, its in the records and it is simply the fact.

Well, if you want a discussion on economics, I would start by getting away from the idea the every Chinese person is some kind of Donald trump in terms of negotiation.

If they are all so business savvy why are 700mn of them still peasant farmers? Who do you think might come of worse if the usa defaulted? Do you think that the USD is overvalued? Do you think the world would survivor economically if the USD halved in value to pay its debts? Can the USA pay its debts without cheapening the USD? Has China been keeping its currency perilously undervalued and it is they who have contributed most to this global financial crisis by exporting cheap finance to the world? Will China fall on its face if the Yuan appreciates? Will China collapse when the inevitable change to democracy happens?

Edited October 15, 2013 by Thai at Heart