Chinese tourists

  • Tourism NewsSouth Korean tourists outnumber Chinese in Chiang Mai amid direct flights boost

    South Korean tourists outnumber Chinese in Chiang Mai amid direct flights boost

    The South Korean market may surpass the Chinese in terms of tourist arrivals in Chiang Mai this year, attributed to the increase in direct flights and favourable winter weather, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Patsalin Swetarat, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, noted that a decline in safety confidence among Chinese travellers has somewhat affected tourism…

  • Tourism NewsThailand braces for 770,000 Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year

    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…

  • Thailand NewsThailand assures China on tourist safety amid rising arrivals

    Thailand assures China on tourist safety amid rising arrivals

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to personally assure Chinese President Xi Jinping of the safety measures in place for Chinese tourists during her visit to China next month, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Thailand aims to attract 9 million Chinese tourists this year, marking a 35% increase from last year’s figure of 6.7 million. Sorawong stated that…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to rethink visa-free policy for Chinese citizens: Senate

    Thailand to rethink visa-free policy for Chinese citizens: Senate

    The Senate has urged the Government of Thailand to reconsider its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, expressing concerns that Thailand may become a centre for criminal activities. Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit raised these issues during a recent Senate meeting led by Speaker Mongkol Surasajja. Wanchai pointed out that the policy, initially designed to boost tourism, has been misused by criminal groups.…

  • Thailand NewsChinese tourists cancel Thailand trips amid safety concerns

    Chinese tourists cancel Thailand trips amid safety concerns

    Hotels and airlines are experiencing widespread cancellations from Chinese tour groups ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, with independent tourist bookings also slowing due to safety concerns in Thailand. Eason Chan, a singer and actor from Hong Kong, cancelled a planned concert in Thailand last week, citing safety concerns for Chinese fans visiting the country. Additionally, Hong Kong’s Security…

  • Thailand NewsTourism stocks tumble amid Chinese tourist fears

    Tourism stocks tumble amid Chinese tourist fears

    Thai tourism stocks took a hit this morning as concerns mounted over a potential decline in Chinese tourist arrivals during the Chinese New Year. The drop follows revelations about a Chinese actor, Wang Xing, who was found in Myanmar and is suspected to have been a victim of human trafficking. This incident has cast a shadow over Thailand’s safety reputation.…

  • Tourism NewsThai tourism faces 20% drop in Chinese visitors amid safety fears

    Thai tourism faces 20% drop in Chinese visitors amid safety fears

    The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) anticipates a potential 10 to 20% decline in Chinese tourists during the upcoming Lunar New Year, attributed to reduced safety confidence. This follows an incident involving a Chinese actor who fell victim to a human trafficking gang using Thailand as a gateway. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn indicated that the impact could be minimal…

  • Thailand NewsThailand tourism China-ing bright with visitor boom

    Thailand tourism China-ing bright with visitor boom

    Hold onto your tuk tuks, folks, Thailand’s tourism scene is making a triumphant comeback, with Chinese travellers leading the charge of foreign visitors. Thanks to more lenient visa rules, and especially to Thailand’s Chinese friends, the Land of Smiles is grinning wider than ever. The South China Morning Post reported that an impressive 35.5 million international jet-setters flocked to Thailand…

  • Tourism NewsChinese tourists set to keep Thailand’s travel market cruising

    Chinese tourists set to keep Thailand’s travel market cruising

    The outlook for the Chinese inbound market to Thailand next year is expected to remain steady, with projected arrivals hovering between seven to eight million, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). This forecast arises amidst China’s persistent economic difficulties and the anticipated tariff hikes from the incoming Trump administration. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn expressed scepticism about Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsLost Chinese tourists veer off course, end up at Myanmar border

    Lost Chinese tourists veer off course, end up at Myanmar border

    In a bizarre turn of events, five Chinese tourists were intercepted by Thai immigration officers in Tak after they were mistakenly driven to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination of Pattaya. The startling incident unfolded yesterday, November 12, at the Mae Sot checkpoint, located on the Mae Sot-Tak road, when Thai immigration officers stopped the tourists’ vehicle and…

  • Thailand NewsThailand targets 36.7 million tourists in 2024 despite challenges

    Thailand targets 36.7 million tourists in 2024 despite challenges

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a steady growth in international tourists for the fourth quarter of 2024, despite recent flooding in the country. The initial concern was that such natural disasters might deter visitors. However, the influx, particularly from Chinese tourists during China’s National Day holiday, has surpassed expectations. To achieve the target of 36.7 million international tourists…

  • Tourism NewsThailand bad weather: Chinese tourist influx expected to fall short

    Thailand bad weather: Chinese tourist influx expected to fall short

    The anticipated influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand during the Chinese National Day holiday is expected to fall short due to adverse weather conditions and evolving travel behaviours, as shared by Sanphet Supabornsatien, an advisor to the Eastern Thai Hotels Association (THA). Thai hotel operators had been hopeful for a significant number of Chinese visitors from October 1 to 7.…

  • Tourism NewsBangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week

    Bangkok bonanza: Chinese tourists ‘Agoda’ crazy for Golden Week

    A popular travel booking platform, Agoda, reported that Bangkok is one of the top five destinations among Chinese tourists for the upcoming Golden Week from October 1 to 7. Agoda revealed the number of searches for overseas accommodations by Chinese nationals on September 23. The report showed that the number of searches increased by 137% compared to the same period…

  • Thailand NewsTAT targets 12.2 million foreign visitors in late 2024

    TAT targets 12.2 million foreign visitors in late 2024

    Thailand anticipates a surge in foreign arrivals, targeting 12.2 million visitors in the final four months of 2024. This influx is projected to elevate the annual total to nearly 36 million, generating 1.8 trillion baht in revenue, as reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). According to TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the market’s growth is expected to benefit from…

  • Pattaya NewsTrouble brewing: Chinese tourists’ bike crashes into Pattaya café

    Trouble brewing: Chinese tourists’ bike crashes into Pattaya café

    Two Chinese tourists had a close call in Pattaya after their big bike crashed into a coffee shop fence, leaving onlookers stunned but, fortunately, unscathed. Pattaya police were alerted to a motorbike accident on Monday, August 26, at a coffee shop near the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya. Responding swiftly, officers and rescue volunteers arrived at the chaotic scene to…

  • Tourism NewsThailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours

    Thailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours

    Thailand’s booming tourism sector is thriving under a new visa-free policy, attracting millions of foreign tourists. Yet, while Chinese visitors top the list, concerns are mounting over the resurgence of Chinese zero-dollar tours, which could be draining potential revenue from the Thai economy. From January 1 to August 18, Thailand welcomed a staggering 22,474,172 international tourists, who pumped 1.05 trillion…

  • Tourism NewsPattaya’s big splash: New app to make Chinese tourists feel at home

    Pattaya’s big splash: New app to make Chinese tourists feel at home

    Pattaya launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enriching the travel experience for Chinese tourists. The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, led by Boon-anan Pattanasin, hosted a meeting at the Sabai Sabana Hotel on Pattaya Soi 2 to unveil the “Wei Tai Guo” application. During the event, Panawika Limpaphan, Executive Chairman of Digilink (Thailand) Co., Ltd., introduced the new app. Panawika…

  • Phuket NewsTwo tourists drown in Phuket beach tragedies

    Two tourists drown in Phuket beach tragedies

    Two tragic incidents unfolded on Phuket’s beaches yesterday resulting in the drowning deaths of a Hong Kong father at Patong Beach and a Kazakh tourist at Karon Beach. At Patong Beach, yesterday, July 31, Che Ka Fai aka Andy, a 52 year old Chinese national from Hong Kong, was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongpipat…

  • Thailand NewsThai man denies role in alleged 700,000 baht extortion case

    Thai man denies role in alleged 700,000 baht extortion case

    A Thai man has surrendered to Pattaya Police amid allegations of involvement in an extortion case where two police officers allegedly demanded 700,000 baht from a group of Chinese tourists. Despite turning himself in, he denies all charges. The suspect, identified as Worapon, arrived at Nongprue Police Station on Tuesday, July 30. He was questioned by Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant…

  • Tourism NewsThailand targets 8 million Chinese tourists in 2024 amid diverse strategies

    Thailand targets 8 million Chinese tourists in 2024 amid diverse strategies

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set an ambitious target of 8 million Chinese tourist arrivals for 2024 and is diversifying its focus to niche markets with significant purchasing power, such as young travellers, small meeting groups, and caravan tours. “Demand among Chinese is not enough to entice Chinese airlines to increase flights to Thailand,” said Nonglux Yooyendee, director…

  • Thailand NewsChinese tourist found dead after swimming at Karon Beach

    Chinese tourist found dead after swimming at Karon Beach

    A Chinese tourist who went missing after swimming at Karon Beach on Thursday night was found dead on the rocks near Freedom Beach in Mueang district. The body was discovered by a fisherman yesterday morning, July 29. Police were alerted about the discovery around 9.30am, according to Khundet Na Nong Khai, chief of Karon police. Emergency responders who arrived at…

  • Thailand NewsDrunken Thai biker crashes into Chinese tourists in Jomtien

    Drunken Thai biker crashes into Chinese tourists in Jomtien

    A night of leisure turned into a nightmare for two Chinese tourists in Jomtien when a drunken Thai biker crashed into their motorcycle, leaving both parties injured. The incident occurred on Thursday night, July 25, on Soi Boonkanjana 5. Rescue workers and police swiftly arrived at the scene, discovering two Thai men, visibly intoxicated and unresponsive, sprawled next to their…

  • Thailand News2 policemen suspected of extorting Chinese tourists released on bail

    2 policemen suspected of extorting Chinese tourists released on bail

    Pattaya Provincial Court granted two policemen bail of 400,000 baht each after the pair were charged with allegedly extorting 700,000 baht from two Chinese tourists on a motorway heading to Pattaya. A group of men, claiming to be police officers, were caught on dashcam footage demanding money from two Chinese men in the foreigners’ rented SUV on the motorway on…

  • Thailand NewsButterbear to boost Thai tourism, targets 10% of Chinese fans

    Butterbear to boost Thai tourism, targets 10% of Chinese fans

    Butterbear, a beloved mascot in Thailand, will soon serve as a new presenter for Thai tourism, targeting to attract at least 10% of its one million Chinese fans to engage in tourism activities within the country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to draw eight million arrivals from the Chinese outbound market, which is estimated to reach 130 million…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya police deny collusion in Chinese tourist extortion scandal

    Pattaya police deny collusion in Chinese tourist extortion scandal

    One of the police officers accused of extorting 700,000 baht from Chinese tourists in Pattaya denied involvement in the act, claiming he was in the car the entire time and did not know what had happened to the foreigners. A dashcam video showed a group of men introducing themselves as police, raiding the car of the Chinese victims and later…

  • Thailand NewsSurvey reveals Chinese tourists’ spending habits in Thailand

    Survey reveals Chinese tourists’ spending habits in Thailand

    The majority of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in the second quarter of this year were lured by the country’s delectable cuisine and exotic fruits, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand. The Council’s report, published last Thursday, July 4, surveyed 205 Chinese nationals. The participants included 44% from Mainland China, 24% from Hong Kong, 18% from Taiwan, and 14% from…

  • Thailand NewsThailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity

    Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…

  • Thailand NewsThailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists

    Thailand partners with Labubu to attract 8 million Chinese tourists

    A tourism campaign featuring art toy mascot Labubu aims to draw eight million Chinese visitors and attract art toy enthusiasts globally, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, stated that Labubu’s selection as a promoter for Thai tourism is expected to enhance Thailand’s recognition among international tourists, in addition to the Chinese market. The…

  • Thailand NewsChinese suspects dish out 1 million baht to wrap up sexual assault case

    Chinese suspects dish out 1 million baht to wrap up sexual assault case

    Two Chinese men surrendered to police after a sexual assault at a restaurant in the eastern province of Prachin Buri on Monday. The Chinese suspects allegedly attempted to end the legal proceedings with 1 million baht. A Chinese man, whose identity was not disclosed, attacked a 20 year old Thai waiter, Jakkrit, at the restaurant in Prachin Buri province after…

  • Thailand NewsThailand investigates boat crash injuring four Chinese tourists

    Thailand investigates boat crash injuring four Chinese tourists

    A probe has been ordered by Thailand’s Transport Ministry into a boat crash that injured four Chinese tourists near Tha Tien pier yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4pm on the Chao Phraya River in Phra Nakhon district when a long-tailed tour boat collided with a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ferry. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri reported that the crash…