Thread: Thailand: Tourist arrivals at record 22 million

Does that figure include all the people who make the Visa run every 15 days?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Tourism is Thailand's leading source of foreign exchange.

actually exports is the leading source

Originally Posted by Fluke

Does that figure include all the people who make the Visa run every 15 days?

for the Brits and other Europeans, probably

So these aussy , British , German and dutch hit pieces had no effect just like I said.

What was that stupid fucking video again ? Mad man from karabi ?

Originally Posted by Fluke

Does that figure include all the people who make the Visa run every 15 days?

Should think so.

I wonder if it also includes all day visits to LoS.
For example all the Cambodians crossing the border at Poipet in the morning
to work at Rong Klua market and then go back in the evening.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Tourist arrivals at record 22 million

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

22.3 foreigners visited Thailand in 2012

So all visitors were tourists were they

Foreigners commend Thailand?s stability, hospitality | MCOT.net



Foreigners commend Thailand’s stability, hospitality

By English News | 31 ม.ค. 2556 17:17

BANGKOK, Jan 31 – Almost all foreign visitors to Thailand say they will revisit the country and the majority are impressed with the Thai people’s hospitality and helpfulness, according to a university survey.

The ABAC poll, conducted by a research centre at Assumption University, surveyed 969 foreigners in Thailand between Jan 15-30. Among them, 56.2 per cent were tourists, 32.3 per cent business people and 21.7 per cent investors.

The respondents said they appreciated Thai people’s hospitality and helpfulness (7.11 points), followed by Thai culture (6.99 points), tourist attractions (6.89 points), environment (6.76 points) and labour accessibility (6.47 points).

Asked if they will revisit Thailand, 97.1 per cent said they will and will recommend that others from their countries visit the kingdom.

Regarding Thailand’s political situation and the resolutions of political conflict, one-third (37.4 per cent) of the respondents said the principle of democracy should be respected while 28.6 per cent suggested that harmony will contribute to political resolutions, 17.6 per cent called for transparency and a crackdown on corruption, 8.8 per cent recommended a change of government and 7.6 per cent advocated amending the constitution.

Noppadol Kannika, ABAC Poll director, said the survey results are a positive signal for Thailand which received poor feedback from both the Thai public and foreign visitors in several previous polls. (MCOT online news)

So, no Canadians or Americans?

Is Thai culture good or bad for development of tourism? Thailand tourism is like an easy date - ...

Is Thai culture good or bad for development of tourism?

Thailand tourism is like an easy date


Keynote speakers in the PATA Thailand Chapter debate January 30 in Bangkok / Image via scottasia.net

By Ken Scott, PATA Thailand Chapter | Feb 01, 2013 Keynote speakers in the PATA Thailand Chapter debate January 30 in Bangkok, Thailand, is a like a cunning cheerleader, a good looker, an easy date who cheats at her exams and gossips about her friends, but is perpetually popular despite her shortcomings.

Thai tourism authorities are "marketing geniuses but management dunces."

These were just a few of the claims made by outspoken but respected journalists, both Thai. They were the keynote speakers in the PATA Thailand Chapter debate January 30 in Bangkok entitled, "Is Thai Culture Good or Bad for the Development of Thailand's Tourism Industry?"

Voranai Vanijaka, a political columnist at the Bangkok Post and lecturer in journalism and mass media at Thammasat University, and Imtiaz Muqbil, the Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, debated the delicate subject in front of 50 travel industry professionals at the Chapter's annual general meeting at a leading Bangkok hotel.

Voranai warned listeners at the start that he would be saying things that some people would find offensive.

Bangkok is run by short-sighted leaders and is the victim of poor planning, said Voranai. The streets are festooned with vendors, prostitutes, robbers (often the police), stray dogs and their feces. "But still the tourists come," he said.

Tourists are mugged, robbed, raped, scammed, and charged double pricing, "but still they come," he smiled wistfully.

He likened tourists to abused wives. They are beaten, but still they come back.

Why? For the most part, he said, because Thailand makes tourists feel safe, at ease, at home. Thais are generous. They will always smile and help you. They take your money and gossip about you afterwards, but at least they are friendly and helpful when you meet.

"There are few places that even give you that," said Voranai, citing his own experiences in France and Germany.

"Thai culture is good for tourism," he said, "Thais are a beautiful people, with a lot of skeletons in the closet - we can be had at an affordable price."

Imtiaz Muqbil, a native of India and now a Thai national, said: "You could shut down all the travel associations, and still tourists would come because the travel industry in Thailand is very good at sweeping things under the carpet."

Noting that Thai tourism authorities were "marketing geniuses, but management dunces," he called for truth in tourism and for everyone to ponder five questions: Are Thais as happy as they used to be? What happened to the Songkran water festival? Is Thai cuisine losing its quality as it goes global? What is an 'authentic' experience [And in a majority Buddhist country]? Do visitors get confused by Thailand's nightlife and alcohol?

Imtiaz lamented the "clonal-ization" of Thailand typified by massive new retail outlets in the city center. However, there is still real and residual politeness, respect for guests and elders in Thailand that is unmatched, "with the possible sole exception of Bhutan," he said.

The veteran travel journalist said that Thais should be prouder of their own brands. For example they produce great coffee, but instead imported coffee brands and coffee outlets are everywhere.

In the conflicted cultural space where tourism meets Thai culture, Voranai told the audience that there were two types of tourists that Thais don't like: big groups of Chinese ("They are loud and annoying, but they are still welcome because we can take their money.") and sex tourists - "but we'll still take their money." For good measure he noted that while the sex tourism taints the country's image it is "still a small industry compared to the domestic sex business [industry]."

He said that Thailand's position was: "We want to take your money, but we don't want a negative image."

At the vote, the majority of the audience raised their hands to signify that yes, Thai culture is good for Thai tourism. But perhaps it was a moot point.

More pointedly, both speakers identified paths ahead that they preferred.

Imtiaz said that there should be more attention paid to the idea of the "Sufficiency Economy" as advocated by the His Majesty the King. "It should be the driver of everything that we do."

As comments and questions from the floor were aired, a Thai female travel industry professional, a mother to two daughters, stood and complained: "I hate to be a cheap date! Tell me, what is the way forward for Thailand to stop being a cheap date?" She meant it. She was both vexed and proud.

Voranai told her: "Thailand needs more people like you, people who will say 'no.' But to say it takes national effort - and for the government to step in."

He said he was only a journalist, but PATA and others should "harangue and pressurize" the authorities.

"We should be priceless - nothing can buy us. But it's up to us make it a reality."

He added: "What we can become, is more important."

We also need more people like Voranai. I never skip through posts where he's made a comment

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Last year, the world was generally at peace and there were no major geopolitical, economic, environmental or natural disasters and no health pandemics,'' Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Suraphon Svetasreni said on Monday.

You've just got to love these monkeys' sense of the ironic!

I remember when they hit the million mark, it may have been 1980.

Sand spa a new beach draw | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

'Sand spa' a new beach draw

• Published: 2 Feb 2013 at 16.40
• Online news:

A sand spa is being promoted as the latest tourist attraction in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, according to Phasitta Inthaphan, director of the local Tourism Authority of Thailand office.


50 couples are being invited to enjoy the sand spa on Bo Nok beach. (Photo by Chaiwat Satyaem)

The office is working with Vartika Resovilla, a boutique resort in Kui Buri district, to promote a special Valentine-themed event for 50 couples on Feb 16 on Bo Nok beach.

Ms Phasitta said spa therapists would cover a person's body with moist sand, pour on seawater and leave for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to work. After this process, a dip in the sea is required to complete the treatment.

Udomsuk Nimsien, an executive at the resort, said the sand quality in Kui Buri and on Bo Nok beach was high, in line with the area's rich biodiversity, and changed with time and tide.

He said the sea was different in each season and the sand changes accordingly. Sometimes it takes on a reddish colour and other times it becomes more muddy, evidence of the existence of different minerals that benefit health.

To put it in perspective New York City received over 50 million visitors last year, just a small city on the Hudson River.

How many Thais?

Hopefully none lol