Tourists flooding into Thailand - some islands "twice as much as last year"

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Tourists flooding into Thailand - some islands "twice as much as last year"

 

Picture: Naewna

 

BANGKOK: -- Tourists have been flooding into Thailand as the high season for visitors picks up pace.

 

Operators and local officials at the beaches in particular report a huge number of visitors.

 

In the far south in Satun province the head of the Tarutao National Park said that this year there had been 20,000 visitors both Thai and foreign tourists since October 15th.

 

"There are twice as many visitor to this area then there were last year," said Panaphol Chiwaserichon, the Tarutao park chief.

 

The most popular place was Koh Lipe where most foreign tourists stayed overnight before moving onto other areas of the marine park. Visitors to the area were 50% Thai and 50% foreign.

 

Naewna  reported that locals were delighted with the influx but asked visitors to protect the environment and keep it pristine and beautiful for others who would come after them. 

 

They reminded visitors not to take souvenirs such as shells and coral away with them, actions that are illegal according to Thai law.

 

 

Meanwhile Manager Online reported that visitors had been pouring into Koh Chang in Trat province. Operators told reporters that most of the influx was Scandinavians or other Europeans escaping the cold in their homelands.

 

Manager reported that this was the best time of the year to visit Koh Chang as it was pleasantly warm and both the skies and sea were beautiful and blue.

 

The recent long Constitution Day weekend had seen the tourist season really get going in earnest on the island.

 

Sources: Naewna, Manager online

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-12-13

[Eligius]

Oh, this article is being too modest: there are not merely double the numbers of tourists now - there are trillions more - in fact, even more than the population of the planet.

I know this  - because the Tourism Minister and TAT have told me so, and they never lie!

[Caveat Emptor]

Just now, Eligius said:

Oh, this article is being too modest: there are not merely double the numbers of tourists now - there are trillions more - in fact, even more than the population of the planet.

I know this  - because the Tourism Minister and TAT have told me so, and they never lie!

How many hotel and restaurant owners and other business people are out everyday with their binoculars looking for all these tourists ?

[Bullie]

Well.... I live in Trat, a regular stop-over for people on their way to Koh Chang, and I must admit that the number of tourists has doubled recently!

Yesterday, for instance, I counted at least 4 in the most popular guesthouse in our fair city.

[PatOngo]

Has the minister for tourism been making merit at Wat Dhammakayo......these figures are truly devine.

[taninthai]

The beach resort I stay at down south has no customers at all on 15 and 16 December and is not full at christmas...same goes for the other 5 resorts on the beach...

[phetphet]

Naewna  reported that locals were delighted with the influx but asked visitors to protect the environment and keep it pristine and beautiful for others who would come after them. 

 

A bit late for that. Lipe is pretty built up now.

[Thailand]

Interesting, a search on Agoda for vacancies in Koh Chang from 18th - 28th December shows around 100 hotels etc with rooms available for that whole period!

[poohy]

1 minute ago, Thailand said:

Interesting, a search on Agoda for vacancies in Koh Chang from 18th - 28th December shows around 100 hotels etc with rooms available for that whole period!

Now!

Dont you spoil it by telling the truth!

[lopburi3]

[mercman24]

i suppose they have to keep telling these lies to keep their job.

[Michael8511]

In jomtien there are more empty chairs at the beaches this year then previous years, also the Russians that use to sit on the free part are missing. the beach is crowded with police and a lot of old folks are complaining about this. They say they are looking for illegal vendors but fact is the police tell them to pay 2000 baht and they can sell openly to new year. All this is not good for tourism.

[BKKMG]

Just back from a weekend in Koh Chang....minimal queues at the ferries, restaurants looking relatively empty at peak times suggest otherswise.

[jimstar1]

And santa will come down my Chimney on Xmas eve in Chiang Mai 

[elgordo38]

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

Oh, this article is being too modest: there are not merely double the numbers of tourists now - there are trillions more - in fact, even more than the population of the planet.

I know this  - because the Tourism Minister and TAT have told me so, and they never lie!

You quit picking on Ms. Kobkorn the dear lady. Sometimes she does get the vapors. 

[Mook23]

Farlang. No. Understand. Concept. Of. Face. Farlang. Him. No. Good!

[Kru Baa]

One would think with all the practice they get that they would get better at telling lies. Will they ever realize that everyone knows they are lying? 

[kannot]

3 hours ago, Caveat Emptor said:

How many hotel and restaurant owners and other business people are out everyday with their binoculars looking for all these tourists ?

All the ones with a  white  stick and labrador

[kannot]

9 minutes ago, jimstar1 said:

And santa will come down my Chimney on Xmas eve in Chiang Mai 

Bad  news Im afraid...........theres  no such thing as "Chiang Mai"

[CantSpell]

They just noticed it is high season??

 

Double figures ching ching, we had 20 last months, now about nearly 40... woohoo...

 

I saw a Scandinave last week, i had to call TAT to inform them :)

 

 

[cms22]

"asked visitors to protect the environment and keep it pristine and beautiful for others who would come after them"

 

Yep, leave it clean so the Thais can really mess it up.

[Deli]

All <deleted>. Living in a tourist hub and everybody's business is down in comparison to last year. Mia's shop also down by 30 %...

Donno what kind of mushrooms these guys have for breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

[yellowboat]

They probably want to make that 6% increase to make the junta happy. After they quashed the zero RMB tours which may or may have not been illegal or a bad idea, they are left with a trickle.  It is best never to mess with a working business too much.  You manage your business.  Your customers control it.  

[Bureaucrat]

Have you noticed TAT's nose's? they grow bigger every year and they are always looking for this guy called  Geppetto.

 

[DM07]

Lies, lies, lies and more hot air!

[lee b]

I came through DMK last week and it was packed out completely that night, if its always like that it could be true...

[mark01]

They must be here to enjoy all the Christmas lights and festive cheer.

[BuckBee]

I came in swampy yesterday and it took me 1 minute as queueless as  the TIT lady is clueless .

Yes things likely be better in figures in December as peak time but reality is Thai tourism is in sh1t street like just about everything in this messy country :-( 

100% increase of what :-)

You always know when tourism here is in sh1t as 1: they announce ridiculous data, and ideas 2: setv's have fee's removed :-)

 

 

[Gandtee]

Just come back from a weekend in Cha Am. The hotel seemed empty except for busloads of workers from Isaan on  a company workers treat.

[Redline]

3 hours ago, Bullie said:

Well.... I live in Trat, a regular stop-over for people on their way to Koh Chang, and I must admit that the number of tourists has doubled recently!

Yesterday, for instance, I counted at least 4 in the most popular guesthouse in our fair city.

Much better than the 1 1/2 that were there last week