Visitors to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA) Traisulee Taisaranakul, deputy spokeswoman of the Thai government, was quoted by local media as saying on May 20 that 9.47 million foreigntourists visited Thailand from January to May 15, mainly from East Asia, SouthAsia and Southeast Asia.
The Thai government has ordered affiliated agencies toenhance support for incoming tourists, particularly Chinese visitors, to boosttourism growth. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailandexpects to see over 5.3 million Chinese tourists visiting the country. Thefigure might even reach 7 million if supported by other tourism incentives,Traisulee added.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) also said therewere 12,805 flights from China to Thailand between October 2022 and April 2023,an increase of 98% compared to the same period the former year.
It also anticipatedan increase in the number of flights from China until September this year. Itestimates 5,330 flights in May, 6,090 in June, 7,150 in July,7,460 in August, and 7,340 in September.
The total estimated number of Chinese flights coming toThailand during the 2023 fiscal year, from October last year to September thisyear, is 46,175, said Traisulee.
Meanwhile, the Economics Tourism and Sports Division of theMinistry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand reported that there were 415,309foreign tourists visiting Thailand during May 8-14, or almost 59,329 people perday. Most are from Southeast Asia, East Asia and South Asia.
The top-five international tourists arriving in Thailand bynationality are Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, Lao and Koreans, making upto 47.5% of all international tourists.
The division said that even though Thailand is entering itslow season and the number of tourists is expected to fall gradually, there aremany incentives to attract foreign tourists./.
VNA
