Thread: Chinese tourist arrivals boost income of Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 21 Feb 2015 (NNT) – Business operators in Chiang Mai are enjoying a dramatic jump in income during the Chinese New Year thanks to the arrival of Chinese tourists.

Chiang Mai province has welcome hundreds of thousands of Chinese people who have helped stimulate the local economy. Local shop operators and peddlers have reportedly earned three times more during this holiday season.

Must-visit tourist spots for the Chinese are mostly natural attractions and elephant camps in Mae Taeng district. Their favorite activities include rafting, sightseeing, shopping and fruit orchard tours.

Kasikorn Research Center has forecast that the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Thailand during the first quarter of the year would reach 1.35 million, an increase of 30.2 percent year-on-year. Their spending is expected to generate 54 billion baht in revenue for the tourism sector.


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Ah, yes. And aren't Chiang Mai people enjoying their presence, especially in light of the Doi Suthep bell-kicking incident? 555 But really, I'm sure Thais with a stake in tourism don't give a flying fkkk how the Chinese act as long as they spend money.

Serious question, though...I don't really get the endless convoys of private Chinese vehicles. The North is full of them at the moment. Haven't really caused me much of an annoyance driving, but why exactly do they do that? Why not just take a bus? I get it that they don't want to get lost on their way between destinations and probably want to stay with their tour leadership, but why private cars? I seriously doubt that once arriving in say, Chiang Rai, they're just going to drive off in different directions exploring this and that. I would want my own vehicle and independence if traveling abroad, but I always see so many groups of Chinese visiting tourist spots, so why the convoys? Maybe people just feel like driving. Dunno

It's so they can hang their damp undies from the aerial.

I read the thread about the Chines fouling the shitters at that temple thingy.

The dirty filthy munters were shitting in the hand basins and the pissers.

You really must ask the question, should they all just be black banned from thailand ?

I for one say a big fookin Yes.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS...????? TAT, you are killing me...55555555555

^^It makes the falang look even repectable by comparison...So, there is a good side...

Everyone I've spoken to the last few days have had a moan about the Chinese tourists. There are hoards of them here, like PJD says, in private car convoys blocking traffic and blowing their horns impatiently. Takes hours to get around town, you would think it's Songkran.

Originally Posted by flyfisher davis

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS...????? TAT, you are killing me...55555555555

The best barometer I've accidentally found for measuring the number of tourists in Thailand is the hotel prices on Agoda. There muse be a lot of Chinese (or somebody) in Thailand this weekend because they are much much higher than usual and many hotels are full. Granted I was looking at Bangkok, not Chiang Mai, but they both should be similar.

Originally Posted by BobR

The best barometer I've accidentally found for measuring the number of tourists in Thailand is the hotel prices on Agoda. There muse be a lot of Chinese (or somebody) in Thailand this weekend because they are much much higher than usual and many hotels are full. Granted I was looking at Bangkok, not Chiang Mai, but they both should be similar.

I have often found the opposite to be true in the past.
I once asked a bar owner why my beer had gone up Bt20 in the low season. The answer was 'Not many customer, still need same money'.

I asked a Chinese friend who has family riding around N Thailand in a convoy at the moment. She claims they do so because it's convenient.(???) She didn't elaborate, just saying she's glad they're here for business. As the manager of a hostel, I don't get her enthusiasm.

It's not like we're talking about Europe here. What, couldn't get a flight? That attached to your private car? Granted, I see quite a lot of nice SUVs. Then again, I wouldn't want my nice car getting fucked up in a country with a reputation for chaotic driving, when I was unlikely to be experienced driving on the opposite side of the road, and where I couldn't speak the language in case of an accident or at roadblocks. I'd love to see how the cops handle these convoys.

Originally Posted by chassamui

.
I once asked a bar owner why my beer had gone up Bt20 in the low season. The answer was 'Not many customer, still need same money'.

I got that in 2007 CM, May,

Girls were cheap as chips then too,.....and MUCH friendlier.

And skinnier.

Originally Posted by ENT

And skinnier.

Don't want 'em too skinny...

Originally Posted by chassamui

Originally Posted by BobR

The best barometer I've accidentally found for measuring the number of tourists in Thailand is the hotel prices on Agoda. There muse be a lot of Chinese (or somebody) in Thailand this weekend because they are much much higher than usual and many hotels are full. Granted I was looking at Bangkok, not Chiang Mai, but they both should be similar.

I have often found the opposite to be true in the past.
I once asked a bar owner why my beer had gone up Bt20 in the low season. The answer was 'Not many customer, still need same money'.

Good point, I concede they sometimes do screw the few customers they have when they have less of them, but I think most of the big hotels, many of which are operated by Western Corporations (Accor, Marriot, Four Seasons, Novotel, Swissotel etc.) are more scientific than that.

Correct of course Bob, but another good guide is the price and availability of cars and motorcycles.

I once made the mistake of taking a short domestic flight during Chinese new year.
In my ignorance, I asked why the flight was double usual cost. The check out steward politely pointed out that it was Chinese new year.
I did not speak out loud my reply. (That may well be the case but I am not bladdy Chinese).
Any way all should make hay while the sun shines. When does the burning season begin?

Shortly,....< March.

Started in some areas already.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by ENT

And skinnier.

Don't want 'em too skinny...

Too much kanom falang.