Chinese tourists
- Thailand News
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 News
TAT unveils 2025 plan to boost tourism
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled its 2025 marketing plan to revitalise Thai tourism. The annual TAT Strategic Direction conference was a star-studded affair, featuring Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Sermsak Pongpanit, and TAT’s Chairperson of the Board Natthriya Thaweevong. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool declared that recognising 2025 as another challenging year, TAT will be putting its best…
- Thailand News
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 News
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 News
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 News
TAT launches campaign with Labubu dolls to lure Chinese tourists
To strengthen cultural ties and lure Chinese tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched an exciting campaign starring Pop Mart’s beloved Labubu toy. Announced at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2024, this 1 million baht co-branding effort marks the 50th anniversary of the Thailand-China Relations Project in 2025. Labubu, the furry, adorable designer toy from China’s renowned Pop Mart,…
- Thailand News
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 News
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…
- Thailand News
Bangkok beats the heat: A top summer destination
Bangkok clinched a spot among the world’s top 10 summer destinations, according to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report. The MEI’s Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries reveals that Bangkok is set to see a surge in tourist demand over the next three months, ranking 7th globally. David Mann, Mastercard’s chief economist for Asia Pacific (APAC), highlighted that Thailand’s tourism…
- Thailand News
Bangkok hotels ‘MICE’ their way back to pre-pandemic occupancy levels
Bangkok hotel occupancy rates in the first quarter of 2024 have nearly hit pre-pandemic levels, driven largely by a surge in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) travellers. Tanakorn Thanuthanud, manager of the valuation and advisory services department at Colliers Thailand, revealed the exciting news. “The resumption of international events in Bangkok attracted more tourists to the city. Fan meetings…
- Thailand News
Coach carrying Chinese tourists crashes in northern Thailand
A late-night journey turned deadly as a coach carrying 33 Chinese tourists met with a horrific accident on Phahonyothin Road, Thoen, Lampang in northern Thailand. Thoen police officers rushed to the scene after receiving a fatal accident report at 11.20pm on Tuesday, May 7. They found the coach severely damaged, having crashed into roadside trees. Tragically, the driver, identified as…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourists roll with the non-ed visa punches in Phuket
A group of Chinese tourists swept into Phuket this weekend, kickstarting Thailand’s tourism revival under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa, playfully dubbed the Non-Ed Visa. This special pass unlocks the punchline: tourists can now spar in Muay Thai classes, stretching their stay to a whopping 90 days, delivering a knockout blow to the former 60-day limit. The welcoming party at Phuket…
- Thailand News
Thai tourism operators brace for impending annual low season
Thailand is set to face its annual tourism low season, warned Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the leading figure of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). The transition into the low season comes after the country’s Songkran Holidays, a peak period for tourism. This shift leaves tourism operators grappling with the challenge of keeping their businesses afloat during the lull in tourist…
- Thailand News
TAT to launch Nihao Festival in October to woo Chinese tourists
To captivate the hearts of Chinese tourists, the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has unveiled a month-long extravaganza, the Nihao Festival, set to take place for the entire month of October. Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool announced the grand scheme yesterday, aiming to entice holidaymakers during China’s National Day Golden Week, renowned for its bustling travel fervour. The festivity will unfurl across Bangkok’s…
- Business News
China’s economic recovery revs up with Ching Ming Festival
China’s economic recovery is gaining momentum, driven by a boost in domestic travel and spending during the recent Ching Ming Festival. The three-day holiday saw a surge of over 10% in domestic travel and spending from pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirmed that over 119 million domestic trips were recorded, exhibiting an increase of 11.5% compared…
- Tourism News
Visa-free travel sparks surge in Thai-Chinese tourism expectations
A recent measure granting visa-free travel between Thailand and China has sparked a surge in tourism expectations. As per the reports collected by five Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) overseas offices located in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, it’s predicted that tourism between the two nations could dramatically rise by the end of 2024. The visa-exemption agreement, which has…
- Pattaya News
Chanthaburi noodle shop owner returns 300,000 baht overpayment
In the heart of Chanthaburi, a remarkable event transpired at 6pm on Tuesday, March 5. Samart Wongnapa, a 49 year old noodle shop proprietor, found himself in the spotlight of local media. The cause of this sudden attention was his commendable action of returning an accidental overpayment of 300,000 baht (US$8,417) to a group of Chinese customers who had dined…
- Thailand News
Surging Pattaya hotel occupancy shows post-pandemic recovery
Pattaya is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with hotels bursting at the seams, boasting over 90% room occupancy. Sanphet Supabawornsathien, Eastern Thai Hotel Association President, reveals that Pattaya’s hotel industry is booming, with room occupancy rates soaring above 90% as tourists from China, Russia, and India flood the city alongside a surge in domestic travel. This remarkable trend is fuelled by…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourist blasts parasail operators for profit-over-safety ethos
The Thai government’s plan to boost tourism faces another tough challenge after a Chinese woman, who suffered a broken leg while parasailing in Phuket, condemned Thai service providers for putting money before safety. She said, “Business operators in Thailand only saw a foreign tourist like me as a source of income.” The Chinese woman, identified as Nadahan on social media,…
- Tourism News
Chinese economic stimulus to boost Thai tourism and economy
Analysts predict that China’s economic stimulus measures will spur an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, potentially driving the Thai economy to achieve a growth rate of at least 3% this year. This is due to the expectation that Beijing’s financial initiatives will simultaneously boost the economies of both nations. Asia Plus Securities (APS) highlighted that China has rolled out…
- Thailand News
China and Thailand’s visa exemption scheme promises tourism boost
The Chinese ambassador to Thailand and the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council (TCCRC) have expressed optimism that the visa exemption scheme for nationals of both countries will boost outbound tourism and reinforce bilateral relations. Pinit Jarusombat, President of TCCRC, highlighted the special significance of this Chinese New Year as it signifies the onset of a new epoch in Sino-Thai relations. The…
- Thailand News
Thai tourism makes big sales on livestream event for Chinese visitors
A livestreaming event on February 1, titled Super World Tour BOSS LIVE, orchestrated by Trip.com Group, headquartered in Shanghai, raked in a jaw-dropping 100 million baht in sales within a single day. Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol declared the event a resounding success. “It was successful. Sales surpassed 100 million baht in a day, with more than 20 million…
- Thailand News
Thailand to expect 1 million tourists from China and Hong Kong during CNY
Alipay+ reported a prediction from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) that nearly 1 million foreign tourists, primarily from China and Hong Kong, are poised to flood into Thailand during the upcoming Chinese New Year, unleashing a potential economic windfall of 28.4 billion baht. Trip.com shared the staggering numbers, highlighting the skyrocketing outbound travel bookings from China leading up to…
- Business News
Chinese new year holiday expected to boost Thailand’s tourism revenue
Anticipated to reach a staggering 34.4 billion baht, spending during the Chinese New Year holiday is set to surge, with foreign travellers, primarily from Chinese-speaking nations, contributing 28.4 billion baht. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this 29% year-on-year revenue growth, which spans from February 8 to 16, to the visa-free policy for Chinese and Taiwanese tourists. TAT Governor…
- Phuket News
Tourist bus crash in Phuket injures 17 Chinese tourists
A bus journey to the picturesque Similan Islands took a horrific turn today when a vehicle ferrying 17 Chinese tourists careened off the road in Tha Chatchai, located in the northernmost part of Phuket. The incident occurred early today, January 16. Authorities were alerted to the disaster at 8.10am. Responding to the call were Tha Chatchai police officials, including Police…
- Business News
2C2P expands merchant partnerships under Alibaba’s Ant Group to boost SMEs
Aiming to enable offline small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accept e-wallet payments from Chinese visitors, 2C2P (Thailand) has been expanding its merchant partnerships under Alibaba’s Ant Group. The global payment platform predicts a substantial rise in revenue, from 3.2 billion baht last year to a projected 3.7-3.9 billion by 2024, representing a growth of 30% over 2022. Piyachart Ratanaprasartporn,…
- Thailand News
Chinese tourists search for new experiences in Thailand
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reveals that travel trends of Chinese tourists have shifted, no longer visiting Thailand in large tour groups. Data from the TAT and ATTA roadshow to China 2023 revealed a seismic shift towards independent and small-group travel, with groups of six to eight stealing the show. Nonglux Yooyendee, the director of TAT’s Shanghai office disclosed that…
- Phuket News
Chinese tourist drowns in tragic incident at Similan Islands
A calamitous event unfolded on the serene Similan Islands last Friday morning, January 5, when a Chinese tourist was abruptly swept away in a drowning incident. The incident was later relayed to the public by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) 3rd Area Command. As of yet, the current state of the victim remains unknown. The incident occurred within the confines…
- Thailand News
Tourists numbers to return to pre-covid in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the picturesque northern Thai capital, last year witnessed a jaw-dropping 30% plunge in tourism, with a mere 3.9 million visitors gracing its vibrant landscapes last year, in stark contrast to the 5.6 million footfalls pre-Covid in 2019. This startling data, unveiled by social enterprise Visit Chiang Mai, paints a gloomy picture for the once-thriving tourist hotspot. A closer…
- Thailand News
Influx of Chinese tourists set to boost hotel earnings in 2024
Chinese tourist arrivals are staging a phenomenal comeback, promising a lucrative windfall for local hotels just in time for the high season. Analysts predict this tourist surge to continue its upward trajectory, creating an economic boom for the hotel industry. Chinese tourist arrivals are making an astonishing recovery this month, igniting hopes for a booming hospitality sector that analysts believe…
