Tourism english tourism in bangkok

FACULTY OF TOURISM & CULINARY ARTS

TOURISM ENGLISH 1
TOPIC: TOURISM IN BANGKOK

Lecturer:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. BANGKOK OVERVIEW................................................................... 1
1.1.HISTORY ........................................................................................................... 1
1.2.MAIN AREAS IN THE CITY .......................................................................... 2
1.3.ECONOMY ........................................................................................................ 2
1.4.RELIGION ......................................................................................................... 3
1.5.TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................ 4

CHAPTER 2.FAMOUS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BANGKOK
........................................................................................................................................................................6

2.1.THE GRAND PALACE .................................................................................... 6
2.2.WAT PHRA KAEW .......................................................................................... 7
2.2.1.

The architecture of the Shrine ........................................................................................... 7

2.2.2.

Religious Ceremonies and Worship at Wat Phra Kaew ......................................... 8

2.3.WAT ARUN ........................................................................................................ 8
2.4.ENCIENT SIAM ................................................................................................ 9
2.5.CHAO PHRAYA RIVER ................................................................................ 10

CHAPTER 3. DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN BANGKOK
THAILAND ......................................................................................................................................13
3.1.NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT BANGKOK IN 2019 .............................. 13
3.2.DEVELOPING THE DESTINATION FURTHER...................................... 13
3.3.BANGKOK REOPENS TO TOURISTS ....................................................... 14

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 15

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CHAPTER 1. BANGKOK OVERVIEW
1.1.

HISTORY
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city located on the left bank of the

Menam River at its mouth in the Gulf of Siam. Bangkok is known in Thai as Krung Thep
Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep, which means “City of Angels”. The city was a small
trading post near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya kingdom in the
15th century.
Bangkok’s history dates back to at least the early 15th century when it was under the
rule of Ayutthaya. Its name referred only to a small village on the river's west bank. Because
of its strategic location near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the village gradually

developed and served as a customs outpost. It was the scene of the 1688 siege during which
the French were expelled from Siam. After the fall of Ayutthaya to Burma in 1767, the king
moved his headquarters to this village. Since then, Bangkok has undergone enormous
changes, developing rapidly in the second half of the 20th century to become Thailand’s
main city. It was the centre of Siam’s modernization in the late 19th century, including the
introduction of rail transportation and public services. During World War II, the city was
subjected to Allied bombing, and subsequently represented the central political scene of
modern Thailand, with a series of protests and coups occasionally taking place on its streets.
Since World War II Bangkok has grown with unprecedented rapidity, which caused
problems with transportation, communication, housing, water supply, drainage, and
pollution. Tourism rose in importance during the Vietnam War when the city became a
popular destination for U.S. military personnel. By the 1980s, nightclubs and the tourist sex
trade - as well as crime and sexually transmitted diseases—were flourishing. Although
prostitution is formally illegal and the number of prostitutes per capita is lower in Thailand
than in some other Asian countries, the city’s commercial sex industry employs an
estimated 100,000 people and is popular among foreign tourists. However, the vast majority
of clients are Thai nationals. To combat abuses, notably underage prostitution, the
government stiffened penalties for both patrons and brothel operators during the 1990s.
That those responsible for modernizing the metropolis are coping with these problems
suggests the appropriateness of its official emblem: the God Indra seated atop a sacred
white elephant, the four tusks of which denote its celestial status and its ability to
accomplish the impossible. Throughout the 1980s the city experienced an economic boom,
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which was blunted by an economic crisis that hit Asia in the late 1990s. However, the city
continued its role as one of Asia’s most important tourist, financial, and commercial
centres. The city’s uniquely Thai character, while perhaps diminishing, provides a vibrant
backdrop for Bangkok’s cosmopolitan image. (Bangkok Forever, 2021)

1.2.

MAIN AREAS IN THE CITY
Located in the central part of Thailand on the north of the Gulf of Siam, Bangkok is

Thailand's largest urban city, covering a land area of approximately 1,500 square
kilometres. The Chao Phraya River divides Bangkok city into two areas – Bangkok and
Thon Buri.
Across the river is the old city of Thonburi, which existing long before Bangkok's
founding. In fact, Thonburi was the capital of Siam for a short period before the new capital
was established. One of the city's most recognizable landmarks, Wat Arun, is in Thonburi.
To the north of the old royal precinct is the Banglampu area, more commonly known
as Khaosan Road, popular with budget travelers. Further north and slightly east is the Dusit
district, where the royal family's current primary residence (Chitlada Palace) is, near to the
houses of parliament and the Dusit Zoo.
To the east along the river is the city's Chinatown district, called Yaowarat. Further
east are the big riverside hotels set amid the oldest embassies and former trading houses of
the west. Heading north away from the river at this point is Silom Road, home to many of
the main tourist hotels as well as the city's most notorious "entertainment" area: Patpong.
Still further north of Silom is the main shopping district centered on Siam Square, which
includes Mahboonkrong (MBK) Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Center, World Trade
Center, Narayanapand, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza and Central Chidlom.
A little further north of the Siam Square area is the Pratunam, the city's garment
district. Heading west from Siam Square is the Sukhumvit road area, home to many more
tourist hotels, business hotels and entertainment areas.
Administrative and cultural institutions: Bangkok is the seat of several universities
and a Catholic archbishop as well as the administrative, cultural and economic center of
Thailand. Bangkok is home to the National Museum and Theater and the National Gallery
and Library. (Vietnam Stay, 2020)

1.3.

THAI PEOPLE IN BANGKOK
The Thai population on the whole is fairly diverse in in terms of ethnicity and race. In

broad terms it is something of a mix of people with various degrees of Chinese, Mon,
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Khmer, Lao, and Indian descent. And anyone who has done any travelling around the
country in Thailand may have noticed that residents in the various regions tend to have their
own specific traits and appearance. These may be down to variations in the environment
and geographical features.
One of the things that may make a city like Bangkok so interesting is that the majority
of these people make no effort to adapt these traits when they move into the nation’s capital,
often wearing their origin and culture ‘on their sleeve’, so to speak. Each group speaks its
own specific version of the Thai dialect and has customs and characteristics unique to the
region they live in, which is most prominent in terms of what is generally referred to as
Thai food.
The Thais native to the central Bangkok region have been known by various terms
over the years, including ‘Khon Thai’, Central Thais, and Siamese. They make up the
population that has traditionally been based in the central plain around the Chao Phraya
River, which runs through Bangkok. However, the term “Thai people” has a broad and
general meaning in many ways as we said, and a fair proportion of the ones you are likely
to encounter in Bangkok are far from native to the central region.
The term ‘Thai’ is a generic term for Thailand’s people and includes the Central Thais,
the Northern Thai (Lanna), the Thai Lao or Isaan people of north eastern Thailand, and
‘Pak Tai’ of southern Thailand. (Mark Philip, 2021)

1.4.

ECONOMY
After the Second World War, Bangkok developed into an important industrial

location, the older companies are mainly located on the Chao Phraya (rice mills, sawmills,
paper and soap factories), while modern industries in various branches are in the outskirts.
Ten years of economic boom (1987–97) have changed Bangkok enormously: massive
expansion into the surrounding area as well as inner-urban structural changes (several
thousand high-rise buildings, demolition of traditional buildings and uncontrolled land use)
have made the city almost ungovernable. Since the so-called Asian crisis in 1997, a large
number of the new high-rise office and apartment buildings have been vacant. The city is
slowly recovering economically, which is evident from numerous construction projects.
(Find Countries And Cities, 2021)

1.5.

RELIGION
The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but grants Buddhism as the national

religion (not the state religion) of Thailand a special position, which is guaranteed by the
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king. The king is the bearer of the supreme decision-making power in the national Buddhist
monk council (Samgha), whose head (the “Supreme Patriarch of Thailand”) he appoints.
As a “defender of religion”, he also protects the religious freedom guaranteed to nonBuddhist religious communities. The training of Buddhist monks is subject to state control.
The dominant religion is the Hinayana Buddhism of the Theravada school , to which
around 85–95% of the population profess; it is spiritually and institutionally supported by
over 20,000 monasteries with around 250,000 ordained monks. Often, however, men only
enter a monastery for a limited time, for example to get a good education. Great respect is

shown to the monks.
Religious minorities are made up of Muslims (around 5% of the population [according
to different figures, up to 10%]), Christians (around 1%), Hindus and Bahais. Among the
Chinese there are followers of Daoism and Confucianism. The numerically vanishingly
small Jewish community (synagogue and community center in Bangkok) goes back
historically to Jews who fled Soviet Russia in the 1920s. The Muslims (especially Malays)
are Sunnis. The majority of Christians belong to (post-) Reformation faith groups
(Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, etc.); numerically the largest Protestant community
is the reformed “Church of Christ in Thailand”. Traditional ethnic religions have survived
among the hill tribes. (Find Countries And Cities, 2021)

1.6.

TRANSPORTATION
The port of Khlong Toey can be called by seagoing vessels and is the main port of

entry and exit in the country. In 2006, the new international airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
was opened, replacing the previous Don Muang International Airport, 30 km north of the
city, in its importance as an air traffic hub in Southeast Asia. In addition to car traffic, local
passenger transport is handled by the Sky Train, the subway and the light rail
(Suvarnabhumi Airport Link). Bangkok is a center of international tourism and is one of
the most visited cities in the world. (Find Countries And Cities, 2021)
BTS Skytrain – General information. The Skytrain is one of the main transportation
means in Bangkok. It is air-conditioned, spotless and highly efficient, serving millions of
passengers every single day.
Using the Skytrain is very simple. For those of you who visit Bangkok/take the
Skytrain for the first time, I’ve prepared the following detailed explanation which will help
you travel using the Skytrain, while saving precious time. Those who took it before can
also use the information and probably learn a thing or two. Transportation in Bangkok
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Entering and Exiting the BTS Skytrain Station. After buying tickets (for a single
journey / a rechargeable SmartPass), you can pass through the designated (automatic) gates.
The entrance / exit gates are located at the same place yet marked differently. At the
entrance gate you’ll see a green lit arrow, and at the exit only gate you’ll see a red lit X
sign.
Taking the MRT (Underground). Although it is unknown to many tourists, the MRT
offers the most effective and convenient way to get to the weekend market.
Bangkok public river boats – Chao Praya Express Boats. The public river boats offer
a great means of transportation inside the city, without being dependent on the heavy traffic
or having to worry about traffic jams. Here you will find useful explanations which will
help you find your way around the different boat types, lines and piers.
The Bangkok BRT – New, Modern Bus Line. The BRT consists of modern, up-todate busses which run through an exclusive, designated route and are thus unaffected by
rush hours and traffic jams. (David, 2021)

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CHAPTER 2. FAMOUS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN
BANGKOK
2.1.

THE GRAND PALACE
The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the most visited tourist stop-offs in

the country. It receives more than 8 million visitors every year, and features on most
Bangkok itineraries.
The Grand Palace is apparently somewhere between the third and the eighth most
visited attraction in Asia, depending on which listings you look at, and it features on the

World’s Most Visited Tourism Attractions list along with The Great Pyramids and The
Colosseum.
One of the main reasons for that is that Bangkok’s Grand Palace is one of Thailand’s
most revered and well-known heritage sights, having originally been the official Chakri
Dynasty Monarchs’ residence when Bangkok was first established as the capital.
With the complex being divided into two zones, the palace is also adjacent to the
‘Temple of The Emerald Buddha’, which is home to the even more renowned and revered
ancient ‘emerald’ (actually jade) Buddha statue that actually turns out to be smaller than
some people may be expecting. They certainly won’t be disappointed though by the sheer
grandeur and style of the Grand Palace’s architecture.
The Palace itself is divided over three main sections, namely the outer, middle, and
inner courts, and is still used for hosting grand royal ceremonies such as welcoming state
guests or honouring birthdays.
Possibly one of the most famous and revered temples in Thailand, Wat Prakeow
(Temple of The Emerald Buddha), is home to various holy relics and statues.
Apparently (according to tradition) the temple includes a bone or hair of the Buddha,
housed in a golden chedi.
The Grand Palace is the main attraction of its kind in Bangkok. Despite the fact that
the entrance fee is rather expensive, this place is always crowded with tourists. You can
make a stop here on your way to Suvarnabhumi airport because it’s only 35 km away.
Remember to dress appropriately. Be warned, some visitors report that the toilets
throughout the complex might not be operational, use the ones on the right an the entrance.
Let us know if this issue is fixed to update the information. As the price of the ticket is 500
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THB, we recommend a better deal – buy a combo tour for 650 THB (promotion) to The
Grand Palace, the Temple of The Emerald Buddha and the famed Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market. Only 150 THB more and you will enjoy the convenience of going to
various scenic locations on a modern and comfortable air conditioned vehicle and ride a

long tail boat, book your ticket online now. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay
downtown near The Grand Palace, we recommend Mind Day Hostel Khaosan, only 200
baht per night. (Mark Philip, 2020)

2.2.

WAT PHRA KAEW

Wat Phra Kaew is a Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok in
Thailand. It is known in the English language as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This
temple can be considered to be the most pious Buddhist shrines in the whole of Thailand.
The word ‘Wat’ means temple in this context. The site which has been chosen for this shrine
is in the middle of two ancient wats, by the name of Mahathat Wat and Pho Wat. This area
is inhabited mostly by Chinese residents presently. (Trip, 2019)
2.2.1. The architecture of the Shrine
The construction of Wat Phra Kaew was completed in the year 1784. A large number
of buildings lie on the premises of the Grand Palace. The shrine of Wat Phra Kaew lies
there, and the total area is about 234 acres. Wat Phra Kaew precinct has more than 100
buildings and has a history which is more than 200 years old. There is a lot of
experimentation when it comes to architecture, and the design is particularly unique. The
style of architecture followed in Wat Phra Kaew is called the Rattanakosin Style (or the old
Bangkok style). The polished roof comprises of polished tiles with shades of green and
orange. There are pillars which have a lot of mosaic-like work dine on them along with
support pieces made of shiny marble. All of this was made in the 18th century. The main
idol of Emerald Buddha is poised on an altar. The altar is elevated high above the ground
and is surrounded by colossal decorative pieces.
Originally the setup’s base was not present there and was added by a king named
Rama, the Third. On the sides of the main image, there are two images of Buddha, which
are said to represent the two kings of the Chakri dynasty. What leaves visitors in awe is the
fact that no matter the age, the temple still retains its magnificence and beauty, and the

structure still retains the original design. (Trip, 2019)

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2.2.2. Religious Ceremonies and Worship at Wat Phra Kaew
From the late 1700s to early 1900s, there was a practice followed, whereby the
Emerald Buddha from Wat Phra Kaew had to be removed from the temple. And it had to
be paraded through the streets of the city of Bangkok. This was believed to have the
potential to relieve the general population from the ill effects of epidemics & calamities.
Later on, the practice was discontinued, when King Rama, the Fourth started ruling, as it
could damage the Lord’s idol. Also, this was the time when scientific temperament was
developing in the eastern regions of the world. The king said the cause of diseases or
epidemics are due to germs only, and not by displeasure to the Buddha, or any evil spirits
of sorts.
Another major ritual is the costume change ritual of deity. The king cleans and wipes
off any dust which might have gotten on the image himself. And chants prayers for the
deity as his attendant climbs up to change the garment of the Lord. The other two sets of
garments which are not in use are kept on display so that the visitors can have a look at
them too. The Thai King’s Coronation, which is also a very important event for the country,
is dependent on the king’s visit to the shrine of Wat Phra Kaew. (Trip, 2019)

2.3.

WAT PHO
Wat Pho in Bangkok, or better known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is one

of the most important Buddhist temple complexes in the Thai capital. On a temple tour you
will discover many beautiful things: colorfuly decorated chedis, golden Buddha statues, a
massage school, beautiful mural paintings, stone statues and many different temple

buildings. In case you get tired, you will even have the opportunity to relax while having a
temple massage. The ultimate attraction of the Wat Pho temple, however, is the
approximately 46-meter-long sleeping Buddha, which attracts thousands of visitors every
day and so a visit is one of the best things to do in Bangkok.
The official name of the Wat Pho temple is actually Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon
Mangkhalaram Ratchawaworamahawihan. But locals and tourists always call him by his
short name Wat Pho. This beautiful temple is located directly in the historical center of
Bangkok, not far away from the river Chao Phraya and the ferry station Tha Tian. The
highlight and the most important attraction of the temple complex is the 45 meter long
Reclining Buddha, but many more interesting things to see will await you during a visit to
the temple.

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The history of Wat Pho in Bangkok goes back to the 17th century. The temple was
built 1688-1703 in the Ayutthaya period. At the end of the 18th century it was restored and
extended under King Rama I for more than 10 years, between 1789 and 1801. In further
consequence there were renovations for 16 years under King Rama III. Today it is a Royal
Temple of the First Class.
On a visit to Wat Pho in Bangkok, you will enjoy unbelievably beautiful highlights.
In addition to the well-known main attraction, the resting Buddha, many more amazing
things are waiting for you. About 100 chedis, beautiful belfries, a small museum, the
massage pavilion, mystical stone statues and countless golden Buddha statues are just a few
of the other interesting attractions of this famous temple complex. (Juma, 2020)

2.4.

WAT ARUN
The Temple was built during the Ayutthaya period and was originally called Wat

Makok after the name of the Local Village Tambol Bangmakok. It means "Village of
Olives". wat arun gets its name from Aruna, the indian god of the dawn, hence its common
name The Temple of Dawn. The location of the temple is in the area that used to be occupied
by the Palace of King Taksin who re-established the Siamese Kingdom after the fall of
Ayuttaya more than two hundred years ago. The main Buddha image is believed to have
been designed by King Rama II.
Wat Arun, often called The Temple of Dawn, is one of the most remarkable visual
identities of Bangkok. The imposing Khmer-style prang or tower is 104 metres tall and
decorated with bits of porcelain that was used as ballast by boats coming from China. It is
surrounded by four smaller prangs. Construction of the prangs were started by King Rama
II and completed by King Rama IV. The central balcony is an ideal spot for looking across
the river to The grand palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Each year at the end
of the three-month lent period for Buddhist monks, H. M. The King or his appointed
representative travels down river in a Royal Barge Procession to present new robes to the
monks. This ceremony is called Royal Tod Kathin. (Amazing Thailand, 2020)

2.5.

ENCIENT SIAM
Ancient Siam or Muang Boran in Thailand is a privately owned museum park and

reportedly the world’s largest outdoor museum, spreading over 200 acres. Shaped like
Thailand, Ancient Siam is almost an entire recreation of the country with miniature replicas
and reconstructions of most of its important sites in the correct locations.

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Whilst Ancient Siam does contain some original artefacts, the appeal of this little

known attraction lies not in its authenticity, but in its overview of Thai history and the
attention to detail in recreating national treasures.
Again, Ancient Siam is not truly a historical site in the traditional sense, but it is a
great way to discover Thailand’s history in a pleasant, tranquil setting.
Lek Viriyaphant was an eccentric businessman and millionaire had a passion in art
which inspired him to establish the Ancient city of Siam. Originally his plan was to create
a Thailand-shaped golf course with miniatures of ancient sites for tourists.
However, once he started doing research, Lek found that many ancient sites had been
left to decay and so altered his plan so the focus of Ancient Siam was education. The
Ancient city of Siam therefore chronologically displays significant architectural styles from
Thailand’s different eras, from the prehistoric through to the Ancient Khmer and Dvaravati.
Today, Ancient Siam is a time-machine back into Thailand’s ancient past, combining
replicas of known significant sites with original structures moved there for preservation.
Amongst its recreations, visitors can see the Tiger King’s Palace of Phetchaburi, Preah
Vihear, the Ancient Theatrical Pavilion, The Royal Stand and many more.
The entire layout of the park creates the shape of Thailand, and sites are placed
corresponding to their real geographical locations. Wander through beautiful landscape
gardens full of native flowers and trees, streams and lakes, dotted with toilet facilities and
shops. Each site has a sign with a detailed English name. A particular highlight at Ancient
Siam is definitely the Sumeru Mountain; a golden walkway leads across a lake to an island
shaped like a giant serpent, its mouth gaped open. (Peta Stamper, 2021)

2.6.

CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
The Chao Phraya River is also known as the River of Kings. It is formed by four major

tributaries, including the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan Rivers. It was, and still is, a very
important waterway for the people of central Thailand. Many people call the banks of the
Chao Phraya River home. Others use the river to get to and from work almost every day.

For others, it is a way of life and, ultimately, their main source of income.
Some of Bangkok’s most note-worthy attractions are on the banks of the mighty Chao
Phraya River. The four must-see attractions that are easily accessible from the river are Wat
Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the
Emerald Buddha), and Wat Arun. Be warned, however, that these are tourist hot spots.
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Many ‘friendly’ strangers will try to get you to pay upwards of ฿500 (about $15) for a cruise
on the river. Politely decline these offers and stick to our guide.
There are four different express boats. Look for those with an orange, green, or yellow
flag. Only the orange boat is open every day. Otherwise, these boats operate Monday
through Friday, from about 6 am to 10pm (some boats depart earlier, but not all). Depending
on the boat you take, tickets will cost you ฿10-40, which is very cheap in compared to most
public transportation around the city. You can buy your tickets at the pier or once you are
on board. Keep this ticket with you. Some boats leave every five minutes, while others
leave every 25 minutes. Be sure to check the timetable of your boat before arriving. There
are also many ferries on either side of the river. They run frequently from about 6am to
9pm.
Truly, the River of Kings – as King Rama I named it – is the lifeblood of
Bangkok. And that’s not just because of this rich history. Around 50,000 people still
use the ferries here to get around each day. Slow barges bearing cargo coast upstream.
Kids still frolic in the russet-brown water. Wooden shacks, mottled by the elements,
still lurch over the riverbanks.
Soaring hotels and condominiums hem in solemn temples, churches and civic
buildings that look 19th-century European. Not far away, the odd wooden sampan sells
noodle soup or dried squid to hungry river workers. It is this juxtaposition of calm and
chaotic, modern and traditional, religious and secular, ugly and sublime, foreign and
indigenous, which makes the Chao Phraya so evocative.
There are 5 public boat lines, all operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat

company, that ply the same 21-km route: 'local line', 'orange', 'yellow', 'blue' and
'green-yellow'. Operating between 6am and 7.30pm daily, each is identifiable by the
coloured flag hanging off its rear.
The rush-hour only 'local line' stops at all 34 piers, while the other four are
express lines stopping at only selected piers. Only the Orange Flag Line, with its flat
fee of 15 baht, runs all day and on weekends – for most journeys, this fits the bill. The
others stop at around 9am and begin again at around 4pm. Cross-river ferries operate
at most major piers and will drop you to the other bank for a very budget-friendly fare.
The Chao Phraya 'Tourist Boats' are another option, offering unlimited trips to 9
prominent piers for a flat fee (service hours are between 9.30am and 3pm daily). That's
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not a bad deal if you plan to do a lot of hopping on and off over one day, want more
comfort and the sites to be pointed out to you.
Bear in mind though – these run every 30 minutes while the public lines used by
locals typically run every 15 to 20 minutes. Other options for exploring the river
include hiring a long-tail boat, a river cruise or dinner cruise. All give a different
perspective on this fascinating river. (Kelly Iverson, 2018)

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CHAPTER 3. DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN BANGKOK
THAILAND
3.1.

NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT BANGKOK IN 2019

Thailand saw slower growth of foreign tourist arrivals of 4.2% last year and the

outlook for a lucrative industry is weighed by strength in the baht and China's new
coronavirus at a time of faltering economic growth. Tourist receipts account for about 12%
of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, making it one of the most important drivers
of growth for an economy that has lagged most regional peers for years.
Foreign tourist arrivals hit a record 39.8 million last year — equivalent to more than
half of Thailand's population — after a rise of 7% to 38.2 million in 2018, when a boat
accident killed dozens of Chinese tourists, Tourism and Sports Ministry data showed.
Visitors from China, Thailand's biggest source of tourists, increased by 4.4% to 10.99
million in 2019. The growth in foreign arrivals had slowed and missed a government target,
and industry operators have blamed that on the strong baht, Asia's top performer last
year.The baht rose nearly 9% against the US dollar and about 11% against China's yuan
last year. The Tourism Council of Thailand last week forecast less than 5% growth in
overall foreign tourist numbers this year. (Reuters, 2020)

3.2.

DEVELOPING THE DESTINATION FURTHER
The Thailand Future of Tourism report put together by Amadeus, the country’s Digital

Economy Promotion Agency and the Pacific Asia Travel Association, highlights four areas
that can help gear Thailand up for future growth.
Last year, Airports of Thailand unveiled investment of almost $8 billion to triple
capacity at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok with the operator saying that it was build for
45 million passengers but arrival have hit 65 million.
The Thailand Towards 2030 report says airports should look at adopting smart
technology including more self-service kiosks and automated bag drops. It adds that the
adoption of biometric technologies to help move passengers through the airport would also
help. Amadeus recently piloted technology with Ljubljana Airport enabling passengers to
take a selfie alongside passport and boarding card details and have it matched with a photo
at boarding to speed up the process.

13


A second area for development in the study is improving links to and from the airport
using different modes of transport. The report suggests integrating airport links with public
transport as well as the development of high-speed rail will help.
The report also highlights public-private partnerships to further help improve innercity transport networks.
Finally, the use of data to avoid overtourism through real-time analysis and predictive
modelling, to help manage volumes, is highlighted as key. The report points to the Phuket
Data Platform where Internet of Things data is combined with open data to predict patterns
of movement. The initiative brings data from free hotspots and vehicle licence plates using
CCTV cameras to help understand visitor demographics. (Phocus Wire, 2019)

3.3.

BANGKOK REOPENS TO TOURISTS
Bangkok) - Prior to the pandemic, Thailand welcomed millions of international

travelers each month, the bulk of them beginning their vacations in the capital, Bangkok.
The city's biggest international airport, Suvarmabhumi, was constantly abuzz with
movement; travelers arriving from all corners of the globe at all hours, long lines snaking
through the cavernous arrival hall as incoming passengers awaited their turn at the
immigration counters. Thailand tourism officials are now hoping they can entice travelers
to rediscover one of the world's favorite cities.
Bangkok was amongst the first capitals in Southeast Asia to reopen back in
November, its "Test & Go" program allowing fully vaccinated tourists from a long list of
countries to enter the country.
Pre-approved passengers could fly in, get a RT-PCR test and head for their
government-approved hotel where they'd await the results. If that test came back negative,

they were free to explore the country at will. It was a start. Around 250,000 travelers flew
into Thailand in December 2021 according to government figures -- a drop in the bucket
compared to the 3.95 million arrivals recorded in December 2019. (Karla Cripps, 2022)

14


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