Thailand Boosts Northern Tourism; Expects 16 Million Foreign Tourists In 2007

[george]

Thailand boosts Northern tourism; expects 16 million foreign tourists next year

CHIANG MAI: -- Thailand plans to boost tourism in its northern provinces intending to attract 16 million tourists and generate Bt66 billion (about US$1.8 billion) in revenue next year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee held a meeting with governors, local officials, and tourism business operators in 17 northern provinces on Monday. During the meeting, he gave tourism development policies to promote tourism in communities to generate income for local villagers.

Natural landscapes and Lanna (Northern Thai) culture are strong points that attract tourists but local communities are the key to support tourism. The minister said his ministry will discuss with the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives to develop the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek expo as a permanent tourist

attraction.

The minister said the project to build a convention and international expo centre will get the go-ahead and the feasibility study will be conducted, although the budget may be cut.

With the planned promotion campaign, approximately 16 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the Thai North next year, with at least Bt66 billion to be generated, said Mr. Suwit.

--TNA 2006-12-19

[PeaceBlondie]

Oh, that public service announcement must have been written before last week's earthquake, which wiped northern Thailand completely off the map. There is no Chiang Mai; don't come; there's nothing to see.

The other night, it took me 50 minutes on a motorcycle to go across town (not all the way across), in traffic which resembled Mexico City. In a car, it would have taken two hours or more. Please, we're not ready for 898 million more tourists.

[Jai Dee]

Over 66 billion baht revenue expected from the tourism industry in Northern Thailand

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set a target revenue of 66 billion baht for Northen Thailand next year. It also expects to attract more than 14.7 million tourists.

Deputy Governor for Overseas Markets of the TAT, Ms Pornsiri Manoharn (พรศิริ มโนหาญ) said in a recent conference held at Central Duangtawan (เซ็ลทรัลดวงตะวัน) Hotel in Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) Province, that TAT will promote more on ecotourism in the North.

Ms Pornsiri further added that Thailand has earned about 330,000 million baht per year from its tourism sector, an equivalent of 7 percent of the GDP.

Ms Pornsiri said she hopes to see an increase of foreign tourists visiting the Kingdom at 13.8 percent while an increase of Thais touring the country at 8 percent. She said TAT will focus more on tourism quality and revenues generated rather than the nuumber of incoming tourists.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 December 2006

[toptuan]

Oh, that public

The other night, it took me 50 minutes on a motorcycle to go across town (not all the way across), in traffic which resembled Mexico City. In a car, it would have taken two hours or more. Please, we're not ready for 898 million more tourists.

Don't know what your problem is. When I arrived on the slow-boat-from-China (red bus from Khon Kaen--12 hours' journey) last Sat. night, I took a tuk-tuk all the way across town, and it took about 10-15 minutes.

Arrived about 1:30 a.m.

P.S. Bus journey (500 km) -- 350 baht; Tuk-tuk fee (4 km) -- 200 baht. When you arrive bleary-eyed and desperate for a room at the inn, the 1 or 2 Tuk-mafia drivers waiting there have gotcha by the b#lls.

Edited December 19, 2006 by toptuan

[Jai Dee]

Thailand aims to draw in 16 million tourists in 2007

Thailand aims to boost tourism in the northern region, intending to attract 16 million tourists and generate 66 billion baht of revenue next year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee held a meeting with governors, local officials, and tourism business operators in 17 northern provinces yesterday.

During the meeting, he gave tourism development policies to promote tourism in communities to generate income for local villagers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 December 2006

[svenivan]

Oh, that public service announcement must have been written before last week's earthquake, which wiped northern Thailand completely off the map. There is no Chiang Mai; don't come; there's nothing to see.

The other night, it took me 50 minutes on a motorcycle to go across town (not all the way across), in traffic which resembled Mexico City. In a car, it would have taken two hours or more. Please, we're not ready for 898 million more tourists.

Yes, same here. Chiang Rai was also affected by this huge earthquake. Not much left for tourist to see.

50 minutes across town? Here we can go maybe two blocks in that time. Terrible!

And think about Yellow fever, Denghi fever and Malaria up in the North! Spreads like crazy!

I think Pattaya, Hua Hin, Krabi and Phuket is much more fun and more safe for all tourists!

:D

[Foggy Bottom]

Something drastically wrong with those figures .....

Last year (2005) total foreign tourists into the country as a whole (which presumably includes border bouncers) was 11.7 million

Now they're saying the North alone will have 16 million foreign tourists in 2007 ?????

Are there that many expats living in Thailand's other regions?

Or, has someone simply concluded that ALL inbound tourists will visit the North?

Hey - maybe Souvannaphum Airport is actually in Chiangmai and that's how they justify the figures?

[Soju]

Oh, that public service announcement must have been written before last week's earthquake, which wiped northern Thailand completely off the map. There is no Chiang Mai; don't come; there's nothing to see.

The other night, it took me 50 minutes on a motorcycle to go across town (not all the way across), in traffic which resembled Mexico City. In a car, it would have taken two hours or more. Please, we're not ready for 898 million more tourists.

Yes, same here. Chiang Rai was also affected by this huge earthquake. Not much left for tourist to see.

50 minutes across town? Here we can go maybe two blocks in that time. Terrible!

And think about Yellow fever, Denghi fever and Malaria up in the North! Spreads like crazy!

I think Pattaya, Hua Hin, Krabi and Phuket is much more fun and more safe for all tourists!

:D

Don't forget about the declared State of Emergency due to the frigid temperatures. All those coming from the cold climates to escape the bitter winters better forget about it because Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are much much worse. Better to go south for a nice warm holiday.

[my friend I]

Seems like there are already 16 million tourists in Chiang Rai, from China.

[Rinrada]

I have been hearing good things about the new ski ing resorts in Chiang Mai but dont know whens the best time to book and what months have the biggest snowfalls?

It seems that millions of iglo benders need a change from the old places like Switzerland,France,Austria,Colarado etc and the new world wide promotions of the long Cold winters in Lanna T look like... just the ticket..

So whats the score?..

Wheres the best places in Northern Thailand to buy skis,boots,cold weather gear and where are all the Ski lifts and what Pists are recommended.

Do they have proper schools with German /Swiss teachers and also wot are the mountain guides like....dont want to get lost in case of avalanches etc.....

Heard a story that they still use reindeers to pull the sleds but find that one a bit hard to believe...Ho Ho Ho...

[rainman]

Oh, that public service announcement must have been written before last week's earthquake, which wiped northern Thailand completely off the map. There is no Chiang Mai; don't come; there's nothing to see.

The other night, it took me 50 minutes on a motorcycle to go across town (not all the way across), in traffic which resembled Mexico City. In a car, it would have taken two hours or more. Please, we're not ready for 898 million more tourists.

Hm, looks like you catched a bad motorcycle.

[onlooker]

The scene: Government House.

The situation: The upcountry folks dont love us

The problem: How to win them over

The solution: Think "What would Thaksin have done in a situation like this?"

A few random statistics, promises of large scale projects and tales of untold wealth being bought to the North later and guess who's winning votes at the next election . . . your friendly junta