Thailand welcomes Omani tourist as its 17 millionth visitor

[IsaanUSA]

Yesterday's Thai Visa had an article about rising tourism with this quote: During the first six months of the year, the country main gateway Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport welcomed 26.75 million passengers followed by Don Mueang with 14.43mn and Phuket 6.43mn. Chiang Mai Airport handled 4.04mn passengers.

How can Mr Omani be the 17millionth visitor through Swampy if 26.75 million came in the first 6 months of the year?

Domestic flights and people transiting. I believe this promotion is for international arrivals to Thailand (i.e. pass through immigration).

[gandalf12]

Great. Oman will now fund more mosques in Thailand. Just what the TAT wants.

Would doubt it. Oman is a totally different country to the rest of the Middle East

[55Jay]

Carefully chosen 17th M, of course. Married, wife and kid.....acceptable imagery.

The prize is also telling - 2 Eco air tickets. Not 1. Nor was it increased to 3 to match this particular "winner".

A bit awkward and clumsy.

[MW72]

Do you think they screened him for MERS first?

[Konaboy1]

You mean in the toilet!

[abitmiffed]

Thailand welcomes Omani tourist as its 17 millionth visitor

Roflao

1 week later we will be reading about this poor guys suicide from a Bangkok condo,

I love Thainess.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand welcomed its 17 millionth visitor for this year with warm welcoming ceremony for the surprised Omani at the Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday.

According to TAT News, The Omani tourist Mr AL Shaqsi Yaqdhan Hamad Khali was greeted by TAT executives as he emerged from the arrival lounge at the airport.

He was given two economy-class return air tickets from his international port of origin to Thailand along with a five-night accommodation voucher, a Thailands Luckiest Visitor certificate as well as other prizes from TATs project partners. The trip has a validity period of one year.

As part of a Green Season marketing strategy, every millionth visitor to the country is being welcomed at Thailands international aviation gateways until 30 September, 2015.

The lucky visitors are given the same privileges.

The activity is designed to support the 2015 Discover Thainess umbrella campaign, which aims to highlight the endless charm of Thailand, the diversity of destinations, the flavours of Thai cuisine, fascinating uniqueness of the traditions and culture, as well as the friendliness of its people.

Thailand welcomed the 13 millionth visitor on 13 June, 2015, followed by the 14 millionth visitor on 21 June, the 15 millionth on 5 July, the 16 millionth on 15 July, 2015, and now the latest 17 millionth visitor on 28 July 2015.

Mr Sugree Sithivanich, TATs Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications said, We are extremely happy to see visitor arrivals to Thailand going up by a million every 10-15 days on average, especially during what is supposed to be an off-season period. This marketing gimmick to reward the millionth visitor generates positive publicity over social media.

According to the preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand welcomed a total of 15.81 million visitors between January to 12 July, 2015, a 30.31 percent increase over the same period of 2014. This generated tourism income of 741.12 billion baht, a 30.43 percent growth over the same period of last year. TAT is projecting 28.8 million visitors in 2015.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thailand-welcomes-omani-tourist-as-its-17-millionth-visitor

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-29

[Jimlove]

Lies - darn lies - TAT arrival numbers ... Amazing what some people do for a living ...

I wish some of the thai apologists would defend TAT - we could all use an extra good laugh ...