Thailand braces for 770,000 Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year
The Thai government anticipates 770,000 Chinese nationals to visit Thailand during Chinese New Year, from January 24 to February 2, marking a 22.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy spokeswoman for the government, stated that various agencies, including the Department of Airports and Airports of Thailand (AoT), have been instructed to prepare for the influx at airports nationwide.
Sasikarn mentioned that the six airports managed by AoT—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai-Mae Fah Luang, and Phuket—are expected to experience increased passenger traffic during this time.
To date, nearly 3 million international arrivals have been recorded at Bangkok’s airports: 1.91 million at Suvarnabhumi Airport and 989,584 at Don Mueang Airport, reflecting a growth of 6.3% and 15.1%, respectively, compared to last year’s Lunar New Year period.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is projected to handle 11,238 flights during this period, a 15.4% rise from last year. Don Mueang Airport is expected to accommodate 6,452 flights, marking a 14.3% increase.
AoT has been directed to enhance ground staff around immigration checkpoints, luggage distribution areas, check-in counters, and search stations.
Chinese tourists
Airports will also employ additional multilingual staff to assist tourists, with increased overtime for existing employees, added Sasikarn.
Runways and taxiways undergo regular inspections in line with international aviation safety standards, complying with International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines, and AoT is implementing measures to prevent incidents like bird strikes, she noted.
Regarding crime prevention, Police Colonel Worasak Phisitbunnakorn, acting commander of the Royal Thai Police’s Public Affairs Division, reported that Police General Prachuap Wongsuk, deputy national police chief, has ordered enhanced patrols by the Tourism Police Bureau, the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and provincial police in crowded areas from January 27 to January 29.
Other police divisions, such as the narcotic drug suppression team, will remain on high alert.
The Royal Thai Police has advised the public to be cautious of fires, as burning paper and incense is customary during Chinese New Year, said Pol. Col. Worasak.
These fires could contribute to the PM2.5 air pollution problem, observers have noted.
In other news, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) plans to meet with AoT this week to address the failure of the automatic check-in system at Don Mueang Airport, which occurred on January 25.
CAAT indicated it will discuss future mitigation plans and preventive measures with AoT.
The issue with the Sita Passenger Service System for the Common Use Passenger Processing System arose during a software update at 1am.
CAAT reported the malfunction caused long queues and flight delays on January 25, with the system restored at 9.45am, reported Bangkok Post.
Full operations resumed in the afternoon, although the resulting flight delays impacted airline operations at the airport for the remainder of the day.
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