Thailand to attract 5m high-calibre Chinese

[webfact]

Kingdom to attract 5m high-calibre Chinese
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION
KUNMING, CHINA

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND expects to attract more than 4.5 million high-calibre Chinese tourists to the country next year, thanks to China's emerging economic growth and its new tourism regulations aimed at cracking down on "zero dollar or negative-fare tours".

"The new law, which will reduce the number of Chinese visitors on pre-arranged tours, is likely to hit Thailand's previous target of 5 million Chinese visitors next year. However, the number of Foreign Individual Travellers (FIT) is expected to increase steadily and will eventually bring more inbound Chinese visitors into the Kingdom," said Minister of Tourism and Sports, Somsak Pureesrisak.

The new regulations covering outbound tourism from China, prevent tour operators from arranging cheap packages that allow them to make commissions from tourists by forcing them to visit pre-selected shopping areas. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the number of Chinese travellers grew more than 90 percent in the first three quarters of this year to 3.7 million.

It projects that the number of Chinese tourists - the largest group of foreign visitors to Thailand - will reach 4 million by the end of this year.

China's 2.7 million visitors to Thailand last year spent an average of Bt4,826 a day, totalling Bt105.94 billion in revenue.

New regulations

Somsak said with China's new regulations ridding the country of the cheap "zero-dollar" tours, the quality of independent travellers would rise - doubling the average daily spending of Chinese visitors. The new law would also help to promote Thailand as a quality-tourist destination, he added.

In response to the new regulations, a number of Chinese travel agents had already raised the price of their tour packages, Somsak said, adding that the new law also banned agents from making profits from hidden costs to the traveller - such as mandatory shopping.

Tourism, a million-dollar business in China, is a major driver of its economy.

More than 27 million tourists visited China last year and it is also the world's biggest exporter of tourists - predicted to reach 90 million this year from 82 million in 2012.

TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the Chinese government's decision to eliminated zero-dollar tours would benefit Thailand in the long run. Although number of Chinese travellers to Thailand had dropped since the law was introduced, better-quality tourists with more spending power would soon be visiting Thailand, he said.

Since the law has come into affect the average price of Chinese tours to Thailand had doubled, said Somsak.

The new pricing, he said, was in accordance with the market and did not include hidden costs that would hurt tourists and Thailand's reputation.

Benefit Thailand

He said not only would Thailand benefit from the changes, but the Chinese government's campaign to guide its citizens on how to behave while travelling abroad, would also improve the quality of Chinese travellers visiting the country.

In related news, the 15th China International Travel Mart 2013 will be held at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Centre from this Thursday through Sunday. More than 1,100 tour operators from over 100 countries will be selling tours at the travel mart.

Under the theme "Thainess" the TAT and private enterprises will set up at the travel mart this year in a 180-square-metre pavilion in Hall 3.

Fifty-one Thai travel enterprises will be attending the event.


-- The Nation 2013-10-28

[Ricardo]

The Minister surely understands that Visa-On-arrival is essential, for Chinese tourists, if his target is ever to be met ?

[Thai at Heart]

Can anyone see an explanation as to why the numbers will reach the figures they say.

They have 4 mm now, free trips are banned, but by magic 5mn high quality tourists are going to come.

[rfukata]

Just wondering if airport immigrations are ready for this huge increases in arrivals as projected?

[Ianatlarge]

"high-calibre" tourists—why? There are so many high quality tourists here now! That aussie guy at the end of the bar, Steve, I believe his name is. The yank, John, his pal Paul from the UK. Frenchie, you guessed it, from France. Wonderful guys, all.

[AryanicAristocrat]

Hurrah! Finally Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese. Though in actual fact, the Chinese already colonised Thailand decades ago and that is why the whole country is run by the Thai-Chinese while the Thais are "indirectly groomed thru poverty and lack of education and opportunities" to be the supporting menial classes to serve their colonisers and while the Chinese colonisation brought with it drugs,organised mafia, prostitution and corruption(tea money) into the Thai Culture, Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese.

All businesses, land etc will be under the control of the Chinese while there will be greater emphasis on the development of Chinese Cuture here , already we have top echelons of the country frequently visiting China and promoting Chinese Musical Instruments instead of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments.Even fair yellow skin is being promoted as the criteria for being rewarded a status in society here.

And we have thousand of overstays here of Chinese origin who blend in without the authorities checking on them.

To all you Thais on non-Chinese origin here, your days are numbered. You and all your offsprings and future generations will be condemmened to serve your new masters for generations unless you do something about it now to seize back your land and businesses.

[centrala]

He said not only would Thailand benefit from the changes, but the Chinese government's campaign to guide its citizens on how to behave while travelling abroad, would also improve the quality of Chinese travellers visiting the country.

Ahhh, this is what they meant by high-calibre chinese tourists.

It doesn't mean they are high-end tourists or wealthy, it just means they aim for chinese who won't be shout talking to people standing right next to them, spitting on the floor, and rudely pushing people out of their way.

Edited October 28, 2013 by centrala

[FarangTalk]

Good luck.

Even the Singaporean Chinese hate the PRC, and are regretting having so many of them arriving in Singapore.

[MaxLee]

Hurrah! Finally Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese. Though in actual fact, the Chinese already colonised Thailand decades ago and that is why the whole country is run by the Thai-Chinese while the Thais are "indirectly groomed thru poverty and lack of education and opportunities" to be the supporting menial classes to serve their colonisers and while the Chinese colonisation brought with it drugs,organised mafia, prostitution and corruption(tea money) into the Thai Culture, Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese.

All businesses, land etc will be under the control of the Chinese while there will be greater emphasis on the development of Chinese Cuture here , already we have top echelons of the country frequently visiting China and promoting Chinese Musical Instruments instead of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments.Even fair yellow skin is being promoted as the criteria for being rewarded a status in society here.

And we have thousand of overstays here of Chinese origin who blend in without the authorities checking on them.

To all you Thais on non-Chinese origin here, your days are numbered. You and all your offsprings and future generations will be condemmened to serve your new masters for generations unless you do something about it now to seize back your land and businesses.

Spot on right to the point, lad.

Thailand or let's say the political elite authorities of Thailand are kissing China's "behinds" and will be doing anything to make Thailand the next "Shina"

Counting down the days where Facebook and other social media platforms will be completely shut down...

Edited October 28, 2013 by MaxLee

[jucel]

Hurrah! Finally Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese. Though in actual fact, the Chinese already colonised Thailand decades ago and that is why the whole country is run by the Thai-Chinese while the Thais are "indirectly groomed thru poverty and lack of education and opportunities" to be the supporting menial classes to serve their colonisers and while the Chinese colonisation brought with it drugs,organised mafia, prostitution and corruption(tea money) into the Thai Culture, Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese.

All businesses, land etc will be under the control of the Chinese while there will be greater emphasis on the development of Chinese Cuture here , already we have top echelons of the country frequently visiting China and promoting Chinese Musical Instruments instead of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments.Even fair yellow skin is being promoted as the criteria for being rewarded a status in society here.

And we have thousand of overstays here of Chinese origin who blend in without the authorities checking on them.

To all you Thais on non-Chinese origin here, your days are numbered. You and all your offsprings and future generations will be condemmened to serve your new masters for generations unless you do something about it now to seize back your land and businesses.

I have spoken to Thais before about being slaves to the Chinese & Japanese, and they have taken great umbrage! I have now got to the point where I don't give any advice/opinions to anybody as you are wasting your breath in this country. Thais know best!

[ezzra]

As long as they don't attract .32 .38 and .45 calibers Chinese mafia that's fine with me...

[trainman34014]

More figures completely out of nothing to justify his position at the feeding bucket. Must be great to just sit behind a desk and play with a giant calculator banging in whatever numbers he likes; a kid could do it.

He should go to the Agoda website and a few others to see all the nagative comments left by the Chinese when they have visited Thailand; they moan about things here even more than expats do on TV !

[noikrit]

Does anybody forget that Mr T and the clan are of Chinese descent , ...... I bet those getting kick backs from the package tours aren't gonna take this too easily .... Oh Hum ...

[gemini81]

Hurrah! Finally Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese. Though in actual fact, the Chinese already colonised Thailand decades ago and that is why the whole country is run by the Thai-Chinese while the Thais are "indirectly groomed thru poverty and lack of education and opportunities" to be the supporting menial classes to serve their colonisers and while the Chinese colonisation brought with it drugs,organised mafia, prostitution and corruption(tea money) into the Thai Culture, Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese.

All businesses, land etc will be under the control of the Chinese while there will be greater emphasis on the development of Chinese Cuture here , already we have top echelons of the country frequently visiting China and promoting Chinese Musical Instruments instead of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments.Even fair yellow skin is being promoted as the criteria for being rewarded a status in society here.

And we have thousand of overstays here of Chinese origin who blend in without the authorities checking on them.

To all you Thais on non-Chinese origin here, your days are numbered. You and all your offsprings and future generations will be condemmened to serve your new masters for generations unless you do something about it now to seize back your land and businesses.

Spot on right to the point, lad.

Thailand or let's say the political elite authorities of Thailand are kissing China's "behinds" and will be doing anything to make Thailand the next "Shina"

Counting down the days where Facebook and other social media platforms will be completely shut down...

From the past to now, many popular sites were and have been shut down.

Rich chicoms coming in droves would be a nightmare. I don't think they'd come for sight seeing- they'd come for investing to create massive debt, and when it is not repaid seize assets to empower themselves. The dreaded Rothschilds of the east.

[laurentbkk]

better-quality tourists with more spending power would soon be visiting Thailand, he said.

Oh really ??????? I am looking forward to those better tourists with more money ..... you can tell whatever you want , no one will ever contradict you here .... if you want to attract rich Chinese , build a Casino and they will arrive....

[Thai at Heart]

Hurrah! Finally Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese. Though in actual fact, the Chinese already colonised Thailand decades ago and that is why the whole country is run by the Thai-Chinese while the Thais are "indirectly groomed thru poverty and lack of education and opportunities" to be the supporting menial classes to serve their colonisers and while the Chinese colonisation brought with it drugs,organised mafia, prostitution and corruption(tea money) into the Thai Culture, Thailand will soon be officially colonised by the Chinese.

All businesses, land etc will be under the control of the Chinese while there will be greater emphasis on the development of Chinese Cuture here , already we have top echelons of the country frequently visiting China and promoting Chinese Musical Instruments instead of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments.Even fair yellow skin is being promoted as the criteria for being rewarded a status in society here.

And we have thousand of overstays here of Chinese origin who blend in without the authorities checking on them.

To all you Thais on non-Chinese origin here, your days are numbered. You and all your offsprings and future generations will be condemmened to serve your new masters for generations unless you do something about it now to seize back your land and businesses.

I have spoken to Thais before about being slaves to the Chinese & Japanese, and they have taken great umbrage! I have now got to the point where I don't give any advice/opinions to anybody as you are wasting your breath in this country. Thais know best!

They have been told that any accusation of this, when uttered from a farang mouth is a lie designed to con the Thai into doing something against the country.

[NongKhaiKid]

' Quality ' and ' High Calibre ' may be the current buzz words within TAT and the Ministry of Tourism but I'll bet they don't care in the least who arrives at Swampy just as long as they can keep announcing " tourist arrivals are increasing. "

A couple of days ago the other newspaper published an interesting op ed in which the writer warned about the arrival of too many Chinese tourists. Amongst the points she raised was that the Chinese spend less than most tourists, the tourist groups have everything laid on so they don't stray from the routine, and don't ' party ' plus they don't buy cheap knick knacks or souviners since most are made in China anyway.

The writer also emphasised that the Chinese reputation for anti-social behaviour preceedes them and consequently scares other tourists from visiting the same locations. A government booklet on proper behaviour isn't going to change things in the least.

[noitom]

Can anyone see an explanation as to why the numbers will reach the figures they say.

They have 4 mm now, free trips are banned, but by magic 5mn high quality tourists are going to come.

20% here 20% there in Thai counting it is insignificant.

[Somtamnication]

So, instead of zero baht tour, it will be a 1 baht tour. Already then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[noitom]

' Quality ' and ' High Calibre ' may be the current buzz words within TAT and the Ministry of Tourism but I'll bet they don't care in the least who arrives at Swampy just as long as they can keep announcing " tourist arrivals are increasing. "

A couple of days ago the other newspaper published an interesting op ed in which the writer warned about the arrival of too many Chinese tourists. Amongst the points she raised was that the Chinese spend less than most tourists, the tourist groups have everything laid on so they don't stray from the routine, and don't ' party ' plus they don't buy cheap knick knacks or souviners since most are made in China anyway.

The writer also emphasised that the Chinese reputation for anti-social behaviour preceedes them and consequently scares other tourists from visiting the same locations. A government booklet on proper behaviour isn't going to change things in the least.

"High calibre." Thai news reports with sound bites never ceases to amaze.

[NongKhaiKid]

' Quality ' and ' High Calibre ' may be the current buzz words within TAT and the Ministry of Tourism but I'll bet they don't care in the least who arrives at Swampy just as long as they can keep announcing " tourist arrivals are increasing. "

A couple of days ago the other newspaper published an interesting op ed in which the writer warned about the arrival of too many Chinese tourists. Amongst the points she raised was that the Chinese spend less than most tourists, the tourist groups have everything laid on so they don't stray from the routine, and don't ' party ' plus they don't buy cheap knick knacks or souviners since most are made in China anyway.

The writer also emphasised that the Chinese reputation for anti-social behaviour preceedes them and consequently scares other tourists from visiting the same locations. A government booklet on proper behaviour isn't going to change things in the least.

"High calibre." Thai news reports with sound bites never ceases to amaze.

The only thing ' high calibre ' that Thais understand comes out the barrel of a gun.

[JoeThePoster]

High caliber Chinese tourists will be coming down the Mekong if Thailand doesn't behave.

[LuckyLew]

Thailand will be the hub of high quality Chinese tourists

[AleG]

Can anyone see an explanation as to why the numbers will reach the figures they say.

They have 4 mm now, free trips are banned, but by magic 5mn high quality tourists are going to come.

Indeed, maybe I'm stupid, buy could someone explain how doubling the minimum cost of tours to weed out low quality tourist will increase the high quality ones? They'd be unafected by the new policy so what else is there to bring in more of them?

It makes no sense beside being the usual make-believe statements of clueless bureucrats trying to appear to be in charge and competent.

[canopus1969]

Silly, we all know there are not 5m high-caliber Chinese in the whole of China

[ratcatcher]

Does anybody forget that Mr T and the clan are of Chinese descent , ...... I bet those getting kick backs from the package tours aren't gonna take this too easily .... Oh Hum ...

Ooh, Abhisit, don't forget Abhisit, this isn't all about Thaksin!!!

[DocN]

Kingdom to attract 5m high-calibre Chinese

They seriously have to think about their headlines.

I thought "What are calibre Chinese and why are they 5 m high?"

[jbrain]

China's 2.7 million visitors to Thailand last year spent an average of Bt4,826 a day, totalling Bt105.94 billion in revenue.

TAT governor Suraphon Svetasreni said the Chinese government's decision to eliminated zero-dollar tours would benefit Thailand in the long run.

The dollar must be very strong these days as you get 4826 Baht for Zero dollar.

[coma]

Hope this 5m has " high caliber " motorbike riding skills.

[Thaddeus]

Silly, we all know there are not 5m high-caliber Chinese in the whole of China

And they go to Vegas.